AS FOR ME – I WILL OBEY

How and why do we choose to obey God?

Ps Max & Leah Ward | Victory Youth Culture

Have you ever found yourself wanting to live for God but then slipping back into old patterns? Maybe you’ve made a decision at youth or camp, but a few weeks later, you’re struggling to stay consistent. You’re not alone — obedience doesn’t come naturally to us; it's something we learn. But here’s the good news: God doesn’t call us to obey out of duty, but out of love.

Obedience isn’t about perfection — it’s about direction. It’s choosing daily to say, “As for me, I will obey.”

In Joshua 24, Joshua challenges Israel to make a choice. Other nations had their gods and idols, but Joshua drew a line in the sand: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Obedience begins with a choice — your choice.

So how do we obey God?

Know His Word

We can’t obey what we don’t know. God’s Word shows us His ways. When we read it, we discover how to live differently.

Rely on His Spirit

We don’t have to do this alone. The Holy Spirit empowers us to make the right choices and strengthens us when we’re weak.

Choose Daily

Obedience isn’t just in the big “Yes” moments — it’s in the small, everyday decisions. Integrity, kindness, forgiveness, purity — it all matters.

In John 14:15, Jesus makes it clear: “If you love me, keep my commands.” Obedience is a response to love. We don’t obey to earn God’s love — we obey because we already have it.

Unconscious Trust – Kobe Bryant & the Chair

Kobe Bryant used to talk about being “unconsciously competent.”

He trained so hard, so consistently, that basketball became second nature.

He didn’t have to think about the moves — he just did them.

Now, think about when we walk into church and sit down.

None of us check the screws, test the legs, or wonder if the chair will hold us.

We don’t overthink it — we just trust it.

That’s what obedience to God is meant to look like.

At first, it feels like a big decision: “Do I forgive? Do I obey this part of Scripture? Do I trust God with this area of my life?”

But as we keep choosing Him daily, obedience becomes natural.

It becomes second nature.

Just like Kobe’s training, just like sitting in a chair — we stop second-guessing and start living with an unconscious trust in God’s Word.

“As for me, I will obey. Not because I have to overthink it, but because trusting God has become second nature.”

Why do we obey God?

Because we love Him – Obedience flows out of relationship.

Because we trust Him – Just like the seat holds us, His Word holds us.

Because we reflect Him – Our obedience points people to Jesus.

Application

1. Start reading the Bible daily (even just one chapter).
2. Ask the Holy Spirit each morning to help you live God’s way.
3. Identify one area where you can trust God without hesitation this week.
4. Share your decision with a friend or leader for accountability.
5. My prayer is that we would move from hesitant obedience to natural obedience — from questioning to trusting — until it’s second nature to say: “As for me – I will obey.”