Can I Be a Christian and Willfully Disobey God?

Good morning, church! Today we’re diving into a tough but necessary question: Can I call myself a Christian and willfully disobey God’s commandments? Now, I’m not talking about those accidental slip-ups or moments when we trip over our own two feet. I’m talking about full-on, eyes-wide-open, "God, I know what You said but I'm doing it my way" kind of disobedience. Let’s break this down and see what God’s Word has to say about it.

Jesus said in John 14:15,

“If you love me, keep my commandments.”

Simple, right? But sometimes simple truths can be the hardest to live out. Let’s unpack some common situations where people might ask, “Can I really do this and still be a Christian?”

Living in Sexual Sin:

• Can I Be Actively Gay and Follow Christ? Listen, this isn’t about hate. God’s love is for everyone, and so is ours. But love doesn’t mean agreement. The Bible speaks clearly in Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6 about sexual sin, and that includes same-sex relationships. God calls us to honor Him with our bodies (1 Cor 6:19-20). If you struggle with this, know that the church should walk with you, not shun you. But walking with you means pointing you to truth, not cheering you down a path of disobedience.

  
  

• Sex Outside of Marriage – Is That Really a Big Deal? Culture says it’s normal. God says it’s sin (1 Cor 6:18). Sex is a gift designed for marriage. Anything outside of that cheapens the gift and damages our relationship with God.

  
  

• What About Multiple Wives? Sure, King David and Solomon had a few wives (and a few headaches, I imagine). But Jesus clarified this in Matthew 19:5 — "the two will become one flesh." Not three, four, or five. Just two. God’s original design in Genesis shows one man, one woman. That’s the plan.

  
  

Authority and Leadership in the Church:

• Can a Woman Be a Pastor? Okay, this one can get people fired up. 1 Timothy 2:12 speaks directly to this, saying, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man.” Now, this doesn’t mean women can’t lead, teach, or serve powerfully in ministry. But when it comes to pastoring a church, God’s design is for male leadership. That doesn’t make men better — just different roles in God’s blueprint.

  
  

• Can I Add My Own Interpretations to Scripture? Spoiler alert — God’s Word is not a buffet. You don’t get to pick and choose what you like. Proverbs 30:5-6 warns us not to add or subtract from His Word. The moment we start rewriting Scripture to fit our desires, we stop worshiping God and start worshiping our version of Him.

  
  

Marriage and Divorce:

• What About Divorce and Remarriage for Any Reason? Jesus lays it out in Matthew 19:9 — divorce is allowed for marital unfaithfulness, but not just because you "grew apart." The world says, "If you’re not happy, leave." God says, “Marriage is a covenant, not a contract.” Here's the reality - If you’ve been divorced outside of God’s design, you are no longer eligible to remarry, adultery is for life. But there is grace, and future decisions should reflect God’s commands, not culture’s trends.

  
  

Everyday Moral Choices:

• Can I Lie, Cheat, or Steal and Still Be Fine? Many think, "Well, God will forgive me." And yes, God is forgiving, but Hebrews 10:26 warns us that if we "deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left." That’s sobering. Willful disobedience breaks fellowship with God and puts us in spiritual danger.

  
  

What About Gossip or Unforgiveness? Gossip might seem small, but Proverbs 6:16-19 lists it as one of the things God hates. Unforgiveness? Jesus was clear in Matthew 6:15 — "If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Obedience isn’t just about the "big sins."

Pursuing Personal Desires Over God's Commandments:

• What If I Do What I Want, Even If God Says No? This one hits home for many. Sometimes we know what God’s Word says, but we think, "God loves me, so He’ll bless it anyway." That’s not how it works. Proverbs 14:12 warns, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." Just because something feels right doesn’t mean it aligns with God’s plan. True love from God includes discipline, not just blessings. Hebrews 12:6 says, "The Lord disciplines the one he loves." Pursuing our desires above God’s commands can lead to painful consequences, even if it feels good at the time.

  
  

Putting Your Desires Over God’s Commandments:

• What If I Put My Dreams and Desires First? We all have desires — career goals, relationships, lifestyles we crave. But when our desires contradict God’s commandments, we have a choice to make. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you." Putting our wants ahead of God’s will is idolatry. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Partial Obedience:

• Can I Follow Most of the Bible but Not All? James 2:10 drops the hammer on this one: “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” God isn’t interested in half-hearted obedience. It’s not a matter of perfection but direction. Are you moving toward Him or away from Him?

  
  

The Consequences of Willful Disobedience:

Disobedience has consequences. Adam and Eve were removed from Eden. King Saul lost his kingdom. Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives. God’s grace is abundant, but His holiness is not to be taken lightly. When we persist in disobedience, we forfeit blessings and risk eternal separation from God.

Can I Still Go to Heaven if I Willfully Disobey?

Here’s the truth — if you live in persistent, unrepentant sin, Scripture warns that heaven is not a guarantee. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists those who "will not inherit the kingdom of God." But there’s hope. 1 John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Closing Thoughts:

Here’s the bottom line — Christianity isn’t about perfection; it’s about surrender. We all mess up, but the heart that loves God will repent and strive to obey. If you’re wrestling with any of these issues, let me remind you — grace is real, but so is truth. The two go hand in hand. Why risk eternal salvation?

Lets pray,

Father, we come before You with humble hearts, knowing that Your ways are higher than ours. Help us to submit to Your Word, even when it’s hard or unpopular. Give us the strength to obey, the grace to repent, and the love to walk alongside others who are struggling. May our lives reflect Your truth and Your mercy. In Jesus' name, Amen.