In what ways can we ensure our actions honor God like Gideon initially did? Setting the Scene: Gideon Returns Home (Judges 8:29) “Jerub-Baal son of Joash went back and lived in his own house.” Why Gideon’s Early Actions Honored God • Obedience to a clear command (Judges 6:14–16) • Refusal to claim credit—“The LORD has given Midian into your hands” (Judges 7:14) • Reliance on God’s power, not human strength—300 men against countless Midianites (Judges 7:7) • Destruction of idols in his own household first (Judges 6:25–27) • Humility after victory—he declined kingship, saying, “The LORD will rule over you” (Judges 8:23) Practical Steps to Honor God Today • Stay grounded in Scripture – Daily intake of the Word (Psalm 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:16) – Measure every decision by God’s revealed truth • Obey promptly and completely – “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22) – Partial obedience is disobedience in disguise • Remove known idols – Anything that rivals God’s first place (Exodus 20:3) – Regular heart checks using Colossians 3:5 as a mirror • Act in faith, not numbers – Trusting God’s sufficiency even when resources seem few (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Proverbs 3:5–6: lean not on human understanding, acknowledge Him in all ways • Give God the glory every time – “Whatever you do…do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) – Verbally credit Him in successes and quietly in private moments • Maintain humility after victories – Remember the Source (Deuteronomy 8:17–18) – Practice servanthood leadership (Mark 10:45) • Seek ongoing confirmation through prayerful dependence – Gideon’s fleece episodes show God’s patience (Judges 6:36–40) – Philippians 4:6–7 encourages presenting requests with thanksgiving • Surround yourself with godly counsel – “Plans are established by seeking advice” (Proverbs 20:18) – Community keeps motives pure and actions aligned with truth Guardrails to Finish Well • Beware of small compromises—Gideon later made an ephod that became an idol (Judges 8:27) • Keep accountability strong even after big victories • Regularly review motives: Am I still pointing people to the LORD? • Cultivate a heart of gratitude that resists pride (1 Peter 5:5–6) Summary Honoring God as Gideon once did means listening to His Word, obeying entirely, removing idols, relying on divine strength, and staying humble enough to give Him every ounce of the glory. Staying on that path safeguards us from Gideon’s later stumble and keeps our everyday actions pleasing in His sight. |
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