Do not bow to religious spirits who would try to control you. You are to walk by faith. That requires being willing to look foolish before man. Who do you fear? Are you more concerned with maintaining your reputation than obeying Me? For those that bow to the fear of man will never become all that I intend for them to be. They will always be concerned with what others think.
Do not be like Saul who bowed to the people's demands. He offered a sacrifice that was unpleasing to Me because he gave in to the pressure around him. You must be resolute and make a decision beforehand that you will bow to no one but Me, regardless of the cost.
Many claim to be a disciple of Christ yet maintain their right to pick and choose when they will obey. When you surrendered to the Cross, you gave up your rights. Your objective must be to submit to Me completely in every area of your life. My Spirit is jealous to possess you body, soul, and spirit, for We are on a mission to bring My Kingdom rule to this earth. Therefore, yield to Me now. No longer make excuses, but lay your life bare before Me.
Believe that I have good plans for you to show Myself strong on your behalf. Come surrender your life again completely. It is a moment by moment decision. Do not fear, but trust that I will provide all the grace that you need to accomplish this.
1 Samuel 15:17-24 Living Bible (TLB)
17 And Samuel told him, “When you didn’t think much of yourself, God made you king of Israel. 18 And he sent you on an errand and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ 19 Then why didn’t you obey the Lord? Why did you rush for the loot and do exactly what God said not to?”
20 “But I have obeyed the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I did what he told me to; and I brought King Agag but killed everyone else. 21 And it was only when my troops demanded it that I let them keep the best of the sheep and oxen and loot to sacrifice to the Lord.”
22 Samuel replied, “Has the Lord as much pleasure in your burnt offerings and sacrifices as in your obedience? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. He is much more interested in your listening to him than in your offering the fat of rams to him. 23 For rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. And now because you have rejected the word of Jehovah, he has rejected you from being king.”
24 “I have sinned,” Saul finally admitted. “Yes, I have disobeyed your instructions and the command of the Lord, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.