“Hey Annabelle, come on over and I’ll pull your hair back so it won’t get stuck in the honey that’s on your toast.” An easy request, right? Simple, straightforward, clear, and for her own good. Yet, she didn’t come. In fact, she went the other way. “Annabelle, come here.” She grabbed her hair on each said of her head clutching all she could of her now sticky strands. “No mom, I don’t want to.” My insides churned. Oh I HATE defiance. I think I can use the word “hate” as defiance is the in-your-face disregard of obedience and submission while doing the opposite of what is asked. This has been the norm of late with this child that I love. Everything I ask is returned with defiance; whether it be quiet looks, delays, or loud fits. Not only does it drain me, it makes me realize how much of this defiance is in my own heart.
Instead of obeying my parents, boss, authorities, or submitting to my husband, I hold my prideful ground in defiance. This defiance does not come from a heart of love or a desire of the things of God, this defiance comes from me not wanting anyone else telling me what I should or shouldn’t do. Although our movies and news often hold those that defy authority in honor, we need to realize that this heart of defiance should not always be emulated.
Jesus again is our best example of how to use defiance in a way that honors the Lord. He defied Satan during his dessert temptation, but do you remember what he used as His ammunition? Scripture! Then, when faced with religious leaders that did not want the things of God, he gave them history lessons, parables, or scriptures that showed them what they were doing or thinking was wrong. After that, when He was told by His friends that He should not suffer as the Messiah, He again defied them with scripture and history. I have to admit sisters, my reasons for defying my authorities are not rooted in biblical history and doctrine; rather, they come from emotional anger that protects my prideful desires. Oh wretched woman that I am! Who can save me from this?
Sweet sister, Jesus came to live a perfect life that we could never live. He fulfilled God’s law and died for it. He rose again satisfying God’s wrath and curse that was meant for us! Then he gave us His righteousness so when God the Father looks at us He only sees us obeying and submitting like His perfect Son. He does not see our sinful defiance against the authorities He has placed in our lives.
In Annabelle, I see how the depraved heart responds to a call to obey and submit. The depraved heart will defy in anger every time. Yet sister, we have the spirit in us that helps us obey and submit when we don’t want to. Call on Him! Beg Him for help! And remember, when sinful defiance comes out, we have a Savior that died for that sin too.
Your Sister,
Colleen