Who are You Rebelling Against?

Then Saul said to Samuel, ‘I did obey the voice of the LORD, and went on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal.’ Samuel said, ‘Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king.’” 1 Samuel 15:20-23

The rebellious teen years have taken on almost legendary status. So common is the concept of rebellion during these years that we almost have come to expect its arrival. True, questioning and identity take on new meaning for a teenager; but we must not lose sight of rebellion’s disastrous consequences. Too many adults still suffer the ravages of rebellion - captive to the forces of drugs or immorality.

You can help your teenager or even your grandchildren bypass rebellion by emphasizing several critical truths as they mature:

First, love your teenager unconditionally. Sons and daughters are especially vulnerable to the opinions of others, and they need a refuge where they are freely and richly loved. Rejection is the worst possible feeling for a teen.

Second, establish God and His Word as the authority for their lives. Yes, you have authority and responsibility as a parent; but every person must understand that they ultimately are rebelling against God, not man.

The teenager who is unconditionally loved and who grasps that his rebellion is against a loving, gracious God Who cares for him can come through his teen years with a firm foundation for the future and a secure self-image.

“For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king.” 1 Sam. 15:23