“Partial Obedience is Disobedience”
Read the Chapter: 1 Samuel 15 (CSB)
Study Notes
Saul’s instructions from God were clear—there was no room for compromise.
Sparing King Agag and the best livestock directly disobeyed God’s command.
Saul’s justification shows how easy it is to disguise disobedience as a “good religious act.”
Samuel’s rebuke establishes the principle that obedience outweighs any outward religious display.
Fear of man is revealed as a root cause of Saul’s compromise.
Cross-References
Proverbs 29:25 – “The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.”
John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commands.”
James 4:17 – “So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.”
Reflection Questions
Have you ever compromised on something God told you to do completely? What was the result?
What does “obedience over sacrifice” mean in your life right now?
How has fear of people influenced your decisions in the past?
What is one area where you need to fully obey God without hesitation?
How does this chapter encourage you to finish the assignments God gives you?
Prayer Prompt
Lord, help me to obey You fully, without compromise. Remove the fear of people from my heart and give me the courage to finish every assignment You place in my hands. Teach me to value Your commands above my own reasoning.
Journal Prompts
Write about an area where you need to shift from partial obedience to full obedience.
Reflect on how people-pleasing has hindered your walk with God.
List the last three instructions God gave you and whether you’ve completed them fully.