Obedience to God: Confess Your Failure In
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Obedience to God is a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's actions and heart with God's will. Confession of failure in obedience is a critical aspect of maintaining a right relationship with God, acknowledging human fallibility, and seeking divine forgiveness and restoration.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently calls believers to obedience, highlighting it as a demonstration of faith and love for God. In the Old Testament, obedience is often linked with blessings, while disobedience leads to consequences. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 states, "See, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse: a blessing if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you today, but a curse if you disobey the commandments of the LORD your God and turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known."

Confession and Repentance

Confession of failure in obedience is a vital step in the process of repentance. The act of confession involves acknowledging one's sins before God, expressing genuine remorse, and seeking His forgiveness. Proverbs 28:13 underscores this principle: "He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy."

The New Testament further emphasizes the importance of confession. In 1 John 1:9 , believers are assured of God's faithfulness and justice in forgiving sins: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Examples of Confession in Scripture

Several biblical figures exemplify the practice of confessing failures in obedience. King David's response to his sin with Bathsheba is a profound example. In Psalm 51, David pours out his heart in confession, seeking God's mercy and cleansing. Psalm 51:1-2 reads, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."

The prophet Daniel also provides a model of confession. In Daniel 9:4-5 , he prays, "I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: 'O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly and rebelled; we have turned aside from Your commandments and ordinances.'"

The Role of Jesus Christ

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ's role as the mediator between God and humanity is central to the concept of confession and forgiveness. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, believers have access to God's grace and forgiveness. Hebrews 4:14-16 encourages believers to approach God with confidence: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Practical Application

Confession of failure in obedience is not merely a ritual but a transformative practice that fosters spiritual growth and renewal. It requires humility, honesty, and a willingness to change. James 5:16 encourages believers to confess to one another: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."

In summary, confessing failures in obedience to God is an essential aspect of the Christian faith, rooted in biblical teachings and exemplified by key figures in Scripture. It is a practice that leads to forgiveness, healing, and a deeper relationship with God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Daniel 9:10
Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Transformed by Grace
... We are to be sanctified to God through obedience to the ... if you humble your heart
and confess your sins, trusting ... God demands of you entire conformity to His law ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 55 transformed by grace.htm

The School of Obedience
... The meek will He guide in the way' "those who humbly confess their need ... rest not
till you have written it down"Daily obedience to all that God wills of ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/vii the school of obedience.htm

For they Loved the Praise of Men More than the Praise of God. John ...
... This is evident from the fact, that they will yield obedience only to those
requirements of ... Have you refused to confess what you knew God required, because ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/for they loved the praise.htm

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
... When you see and confess it, he will blot it out ... the Lord Jesus kept the law of God,
and his obedience stands, instead of our obedience; and God accepts him ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/two coverings and two consequences.htm

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
... When you see and confess it he will blot it out. ... the Lord Jesus kept the law of God,
and his obedience stands instead of our obedience; and God accepts him ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/two coverings and two consequences.htm

Absolute Surrender
... Ah, yes, a good conscience is complete obedience to God day by day, and ... Let us bow
before God in humility, and in that humility confess before Him the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/absolute surrender.htm

May one Lose the Blessing?
... Yield and obey just there, pick up your obedience where you ... way to fell beams for
the house of our God! ... the Fullness of the Spirit, let us confess, betake us ...
/.../macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter xviii may one lose.htm

My God Will Hear Me
... Let us confess with shame how little we have believed ... the humble soul who prays in
the obedience of faith ... 4. "My God will hear me." What a solemn responsibility ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xii my god will.htm

How a Man's Conduct Comes Home to Him
... Let us confess every degree and form of backsliding, every wandering of heart ... the
good man is enabled by divine grace to live in obedience to God, he must as ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/how a mans conduct comes.htm

Separation to God.
... calls for tenderness of conscience, thoughtfulness in service, and implicit obedience. ...
it, but at once humble ourselves before GOD, and confess it, seeking ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

Resources
What does it mean that Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8)? | GotQuestions.org

Why is obedience better than sacrifice? | GotQuestions.org

What are the blessings God promised Israel for obedience? | GotQuestions.org

Obedience: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Obedience

Obedience of Christ

Obedience to God

Obedience to God without Faith, is Impossible

Obedience to God: A Characteristic of Saints

Obedience to God: Abram

Obedience to God: Angels Engaged In

Obedience to God: Asa

Obedience to God: Better than Sacrifice

Obedience to God: Blessedness of

Obedience to God: Caleb

Obedience to God: Christ, an Example of

Obedience to God: Commanded

Obedience to God: Confess Your Failure In

Obedience to God: David

Obedience to God: Elijah

Obedience to God: Exhortations To

Obedience to God: Hezekiah

Obedience to God: Includes: Keeping his Commandments

Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying Christ

Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying his Law

Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying his Voice

Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying the Gospel

Obedience to God: Includes: Submission to Higher Powers

Obedience to God: Israelites

Obedience to God: Joseph

Obedience to God: Josiah

Obedience to God: Justification Obtained by That of Christ

Obedience to God: Noah

Obedience to God: Obligations To

Obedience to God: Paul

Obedience to God: Pray to be Taught

Obedience to God: Prepare the Heart For

Obedience to God: Promises To

Obedience to God: Punishment of Refusing

Obedience to God: Resolve Upon

Obedience to God: Saints Elected To

Obedience to God: Saints of Rome

Obedience to God: should be Constant

Obedience to God: should be from the Heart

Obedience to God: should be Undeviating

Obedience to God: should be Unreserved

Obedience to God: should Be with Willingness

Obedience to God: The Wicked Refuse

Obedience to God: To be Universal in the Latter Days

Obedience to God: Wise Men

Obedience to God: Zacharias

Obedience to God: Zerubbabel

Obedience: Abraham

Obedience: Asa

Obedience: Bethuel and Laban

Obedience: Caleb

Obedience: Cornelius

Obedience: Cyrus

Obedience: Daniel

Obedience: David

Obedience: Elisha

Obedience: Enjoined

Obedience: Exemplified

Obedience: Ezra

Obedience: General Scriptures Concerning

Obedience: Gideon

Obedience: Hanani

Obedience: Hezekiah

Obedience: Jacob

Obedience: Jehoiada

Obedience: Jehoshaphat

Obedience: Jesus

Obedience: Job

Obedience: John and James

Obedience: John the Baptist

Obedience: Jonah

Obedience: Joseph

Obedience: Joshua

Obedience: Josiah

Obedience: Jotham

Obedience: Levi

Obedience: Levites

Obedience: Mary

Obedience: Matthew

Obedience: Moses

Obedience: Moses and Aaron

Obedience: Nathanael

Obedience: Ninevites

Obedience: Noah

Obedience: Paul

Obedience: Reubenites

Obedience: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego

Obedience: Simeon

Obedience: Simon and Andrew

Obedience: The Disciples

Obedience: The Israelites

Obedience: The Rich Young Man

Obedience: Under the Preaching of Haggai

Obedience: Uzziah

Obedience: Zacharias

Related Terms

Feign (11 Occurrences)

Obedient (39 Occurrences)

Obeisance (45 Occurrences)

Obey (219 Occurrences)

Win (27 Occurrences)

Resulting (7 Occurrences)

Discipline (63 Occurrences)

Commandments (181 Occurrences)

Atonement (112 Occurrences)

Commands (216 Occurrences)

Child (355 Occurrences)

Commandment (209 Occurrences)

Imputation

Result (73 Occurrences)

Unaccompanied (2 Occurrences)

Leads (64 Occurrences)

Works (379 Occurrences)

Intense (13 Occurrences)

Foreskin (12 Occurrences)

Disobedience (49 Occurrences)

Mediator (7 Occurrences)

Consists (7 Occurrences)

Sacraments

Declared (261 Occurrences)

Manifested (48 Occurrences)

Bondmen (117 Occurrences)

Behalf (140 Occurrences)

Justification (6 Occurrences)

Scriptures (25 Occurrences)

Guilt (180 Occurrences)

Either (152 Occurrences)

Slaves (119 Occurrences)

Peoples (305 Occurrences)

Brotherly (8 Occurrences)

Service (317 Occurrences)

Righteous (407 Occurrences)

Leading (101 Occurrences)

Act (204 Occurrences)

Affection (30 Occurrences)

Whether (239 Occurrences)

Someone (153 Occurrences)

Ages (114 Occurrences)

Purpose (448 Occurrences)

Fully (153 Occurrences)

Love (703 Occurrences)

Children

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)

Gnosticism

Ground (538 Occurrences)

Gentiles (150 Occurrences)

Yours (226 Occurrences)

Life (6001 Occurrences)

Sanctification (13 Occurrences)

Adam (29 Occurrences)

Slavery (31 Occurrences)

Eternal (166 Occurrences)

Slave (148 Occurrences)

Foreknow (1 Occurrence)

Present (577 Occurrences)

Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)

Nations (683 Occurrences)

Yourselves (530 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Quoted (2 Occurrences)

Venture (10 Occurrences)

Kenites (8 Occurrences)

Kingly (7 Occurrences)

Kidron (11 Occurrences)

Kindness (295 Occurrences)

Person (807 Occurrences)

Command (442 Occurrences)

Yield (78 Occurrences)

Nun (31 Occurrences)

Nervous (1 Occurrence)

Name's (31 Occurrences)

Ungodly (41 Occurrences)

Ucal (1 Occurrence)

Outpouring (3 Occurrences)

Obedience to God: Commanded
Top of Page
Top of Page