If you listened to the latest episode of Faith It ’Til You Make It, you know we waded straight into the deep end of a word that makes a lot of Christians twitch: obedience. And no, not the “religious robot trained to follow all the rules” kind. I’m talking about the kind that leads to actual freedom—not shame, burnout, or a spiritual to-do list that haunts you like laundry.

Today, we’re breaking down one of the most important pieces from the episode: the difference between descriptive and prescriptive passages in the Bible. Because if we don’t understand what actually applies to us, we end up trying to live like ancient Israelites with modern stress and Costco memberships.

Let’s go.

Obedience Has a Branding Problem

Somewhere along the way, “obedience” started sounding like punishment. Like God is standing there with a clipboard tracking your spiritual attendance record.

But obedience was never meant to be transactional:

❌ “If I behave, God will bless me.”
❌ “If I mess up, God will punish me.”
❌ “If I pray hard enough, my Wi-Fi will magically fix itself.”

Obedience is relational, not mechanical. It’s a spiritual “hey, walk with Me, I know the way” kind of thing. It’s trust. It’s alignment. It’s saying:

“God, I don’t fully get it—but I’m with You.”

Once you understand why God asks us to obey, it stops feeling like punishment and starts feeling like peace.

Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Passages: The Big Bible Filter

One of the biggest mistakes Christians make? Taking every verse and assuming it’s a personal assignment from heaven.

Spoiler: not everything in Scripture is meant for you to replicate.

So let’s simplify.

Descriptive Passages = “Here’s what happened.”

Not: “Go do this.”

They give context, culture, stories, mistakes, miracles, drama (LOTS of drama), and lessons.

Descriptive passages show us how God worked, not always what we’re supposed to do next Tuesday.

Examples:

Noah’s Ark

God did not call you to build a floating zoo.
You can admire Noah’s obedience without heading to Lowe’s.

David’s leadership—and failures

Learn from the man, do not reenact the man.

Old Testament rituals

Sacrifices. Dietary laws. Purification rituals.
They were for Israel under a specific covenant fulfilled in Christ.
Not your job. Not your calling. Not your spiritual homework assignment.

Descriptive = insight, not instruction.

Prescriptive Passages = “Do this. No, really—this applies to you.”

These passages contain timeless commands and God’s clear direction.

Examples:

The Ten Commandments

Still relevant. Still prescriptive. Still uncomfortably straightforward.

Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount

Love your enemies?
Forgive?
Seek the kingdom?
Prescriptive. Challenging. Life-changing.

The Great Commission

Go make disciples.
Not optional. Not “for the extroverts.”
It’s for all of us.

Love your neighbor as yourself

Universal. Timeless. Inconvenient… but necessary.

Prescriptive = direction, not suggestion.

How to Tell the Difference (Without Needing a Seminary Degree)

Here’s your quick-and-real filter:

✔ Check the context

Who’s speaking?
Who are they talking to?
What’s going on?

✔ Look for direct commands

“You shall…”
“Do this…”
“Love…”
“Forgive…”

✔ Spot the universal principle

Does it reflect God’s heart and character in a timeless way?

✔ Ask the Holy Spirit

He’s an excellent Bible study partner.

✔ Seek wise counsel

Mentors > solo interpretation.

✔ Compare translations

Sometimes one word unlocks the whole passage.

This is how you read Scripture responsibly and confidently.

Why Micro-Obedience Is Your New Spiritual Superpower

Let’s be real: most of us aren’t being asked to lead a nation or survive a flood.

But micro-obedience?
Oh, that’s the everyday stuff.

It’s the tiny yeses that shape you:

• Choosing forgiveness instead of pettiness

• Praying before panicking

• Not joining in gossip

• Opening your Bible even when you’re tired

• Being generous when nobody’s watching

• Choosing patience with your spouse, kids, coworkers, or fellow Target shoppers

These tiny decisions?
They add up.
They create character.
They build trust.
They transform your spiritual life brick by brick.

Obedience = Transformation, Not Performance

Here’s the secret nobody tells you:
Obedience isn’t God testing you.
It’s God shaping you.

When you obey—even in small ways—you experience:

• Spiritual growth
• Clarity and peace
• Freedom from old patterns
• A deeper relationship with God
• Strengthened faith
• Purpose that feels lived, not forced

It’s less “try harder” and more “lean in.”

Walking Into Blessing Without Treating God Like a Vending Machine

Does obedience lead to blessing?
Absolutely.
But not in a “follow God, get a yacht” way.

It’s more like:

• Peace when you should be anxious

• Joy that outlasts circumstances

• Wisdom you didn’t earn

• Protection you didn’t see coming

• Provision right when you need it

• Hope that refuses to quit

Obedience aligns your life with God’s best for you.
And alignment always leads to blessing—just maybe not the Instagrammable kind.

Final Thoughts: Obedience Isn’t Obligation, It’s Relationship

When you understand Scripture correctly—what’s descriptive and what’s prescriptive—obedience stops being heavy and starts being holy.

Obedience is not about performing.
It’s about partnering.
It’s about trust.
It’s about transformation.

If you want to hear more about this, definitely check out the episode “Obedience Isn’t Obligation” on the Faith It ’Til You Make It podcast.

Let’s be people who obey—not because God demands perfection, but because His way is actually better.
Every. Single. Time.