How can we guard against a "contempt for the LORD's command" today? The Warning in Numbers 15:31 “Because he has despised the word of the LORD and broken His command, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will remain on him.” Israel’s wilderness story shows that contempt for God’s command is never a small matter; it severs fellowship and invites judgment. How do we keep that same spirit from creeping into our lives today? Start With a Heart That Trembles at His Word • Isaiah 66:2—“But to this one will I look: to the humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.” • Cultivate reverence by remembering that every verse carries the breath and authority of God (2 Timothy 3:16). • Regularly rehearse His past faithfulness; gratitude fuels humility and guards against indifference. Keep Scripture in Constant View • Daily intake: read, meditate, and memorize (Psalm 1:1-3; Joshua 1:8). • Place verses where eyes frequently land—phones, mirrors, dashboards. • Let the Word set the agenda for conversations and decisions, not headlines or feelings. Obey Quickly and Completely • John 14:15—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • Partial obedience equals disobedience (1 Samuel 15:22-23). • Ask, “What does prompt obedience look like right now?”—then do it. Guard Against Pride, the Seed of Contempt • Proverbs 3:7—“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” • Invite God to search hidden attitudes (Psalm 139:23-24). • Practice regular fasting or other disciplines that remind the flesh it is not in charge. Build Accountability Into Your Walk • Hebrews 10:24-25—commit to a local body that exhorts and corrects. • Share specific areas of struggle; secrecy breeds disdain for God’s standards. • Celebrate obedience together; testimonies reinforce a culture of honor toward His commands. Teach the Next Generation • Deuteronomy 6:6-9—talk of His commands “when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road.” • Model enthusiastic submission; children notice whether rules feel like burdens or blessings. • Use everyday moments—mealtime, errands, headlines—as springboards to highlight God’s ways. Repent Quickly When You Slip • 1 John 1:9—confession restores fellowship. • Keep short accounts; lingering guilt hardens the heart and normalizes disobedience. • Remember Psalm 32:5—the joy of forgiven sin renews zeal for obedience. Live With Eternity in View • 2 Corinthians 5:10—“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” • A steady awareness of future accountability motivates present faithfulness. • Store up treasure where contempt has no shelf life (Matthew 6:19-21). Staying free of contempt for the Lord’s command is not complicated: cherish His Word, obey it promptly, stay humble, walk in community, teach it diligently, and repent swiftly. These habits keep our hearts soft and our lives aligned with the God who still speaks. |
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