In a world full of opinions, learn why God’s voice is the one that matters most.
There are a lot of voices competing for our attention today.
We listen to celebrities. We listen to influencers. We listen to our friends. We listen to podcasts, social media, and people on the internet who may or may not know what they’re talking about.
But here’s the real question: Are we listening to God?
Proverbs 13:13 gives us a pretty clear contrast. Ignore instruction, and eventually there will be a price to pay. Respect God’s commands, and there is a reward.
And notice, it doesn’t just say good advice. It says a command.
A command isn’t a suggestion. It’s not something we follow only when it’s convenient or when we agree with it. A command is a directive. It’s something we’re expected to obey.
That’s where I think we sometimes get ourselves in trouble. We want God’s advice, but we don’t always want God’s commands. We want Him to guide us, bless us, and help us succeed, but sometimes we still want to decide which parts of His Word we’re actually going to obey.
But God sees things we don’t see. He knows things we don’t know. And His commands aren’t meant to restrict us. They’re meant to protect us, guide us, and lead us in the right direction.
If I had to sum up this verse in one phrase, it would be this:
Learn to be obedient.
Be careful who you’re listening to, but even more importantly, make sure the voice you ultimately obey is God’s.
Because when you ignore God’s Word, eventually there is a price to pay. But when you respect His commands and live according to His Word, there is reward.
📖 “Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.”
Proverbs 13:13 NIV
God has already spoken. The question is, will you obey?
Alex Bryant is a pastor, author, and speaker who writes about race, faith, and culture in America.
