"God's Ways Are Too Restrictive"

"Over and over again,  the Scripture teaches that God's laws are for our good and protection.  Obedience is the pathway to freedom.  But Satan places in our mind the idea that God's laws are burdensome, unreasonable, and unfair, and that if we obey Him we will be miserable. In the Garden, he caused Eve to focus on the one limitation God had placed on her.  The deceiver's motto is "Have it your way: No one has the right to tell you what you can and can not do."

If we are honest, many of us can identify with "Sarah":

"I felt that putting restrictions on my behavior was depriving me of pleasure and what was good.  I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it, and in whatever quantities I wanted because I felt punished by saying no."

I have often wondered why food is such an issue with so many women.  I'm convinced it has something to do with Genesis 3.  After all, what was the very first sin?  It was the sin overeating.  The single restriction God put on her diet was one too many for Eve.  Like "Sarah", she felt that "putting restrictions on her behavior was depriving her of pleasure and what was good."  So what did she do?  (Remember - beliefs determine behavior.)  She "ate whatever she wanted."  So we throw off the restrictions, determined to "have it our way."  We are free to choose our own way just as Eve was free to eat the forbidden fruit.  But there is one thing we are not free to choose, and that is the consequences. 

We have said that believing and acting on a lie will ultimately lead to bondage.  Listen to the rest of "Sarah's" testimony:

"Sarah" had decided to eat what she wanted, whenever she wanted, and whatever quantity she wanted.  Sounds like freedom, doesn't it?  But wait- according to her testimony, she wasn't free at all.  She thought she would be free, but her freedom was short lived.  Instead of being free, she ended up in "bondage to food, " gained 65 unwanted pounds, and became depressed.  

When this woman discovered the Truth that " true freedom comes from obedience," and when she acted on that truth, her bondage was shattered.

 

What would our world be like if there were no laws? In what ways are laws beneficial to our society?

What does Deuteronomy 6:24-25 say about the value and blessing of obedience to God's law?

Read James 1:19-27.  What does James mean when he refers to "the perfect law that gives us freedom"?

Think about a time when you decided to do your own thing instead of obeying God.  How did it turn out?

In what ways are God's restrictions actually a benefit or a blessing to His children?  How could you explain the benefits to others?

Are there any biblical demands you have been resisting or hesitating to obey,  thinking you would be better off doing things your way?  "Obedience is the pathway to freedom."  Will you surrender and choose to obey God's way?