The Dilemma of Obedience: When God Calls You to Speak or Stay Silent
There are moments in life when God impresses something upon our hearts, and we are faced with the decision of whether to act on it. Sometimes, the message He gives us is difficult—something we know may bring discomfort to others, yet obedience requires us to trust Him more than our own understanding. Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost for His Highest, describes this as the dilemma of obedience—the tension between following God’s leading and the natural hesitation that arises when we realize that obedience might cause pain, misunderstanding, or even rejection.
Samuel experienced this when God revealed to him a difficult truth about Eli. Though God did not explicitly command Samuel to share the message, the weight of truth pressed upon him. Would he choose to speak or remain silent? The same dilemma arises in our lives in different ways. Below are three real-life scenarios where the call to obedience can play out, each requiring sensitivity to God's voice and a heart fully yielded to His leading.
1. Speaking a Hard Truth in Love
A woman in a Bible study has built a close friendship with another woman in the group. Over time, she notices her friend beginning to drift spiritually, making choices that are leading her away from her dependence on Christ. She feels the Spirit urging her to have a loving but direct conversation, gently pointing her back to the sufficiency of Christ.
Yet, fear creeps in. What if she gets offended? What if she misinterprets my intentions? What if I lose her friendship? The temptation is strong to remain silent and simply pray, but the quiet urging within persists. In obedience, she sets aside her fears and speaks the truth in love. The conversation is difficult, but it plants a seed. Though her friend initially resists, later she acknowledges that God used that moment to realign her heart with Him.
Obedience often requires stepping into uncomfortable conversations, trusting that God is working beyond what we can see. Our role is to be faithful, not to control the outcome.
2. Releasing the Need to Fix Someone Else’s Journey
A man has a younger brother who is making destructive choices. He has tried everything—pleading, reasoning, even setting ultimatums—but nothing seems to change. He begins to sense the Lord saying, Step back. Trust Me to work. But this is counterintuitive. Shouldn’t he do more? Shouldn’t he intervene before things spiral further?
Yet, there comes a point when obedience means letting go rather than taking action. He stops trying to play the role of rescuer and instead places his brother fully in God’s hands. In doing so, he experiences a deeper rest, knowing that God is sovereign over his brother’s life. Months later, after reaching his own breaking point, the younger brother begins to seek God—not because of human intervention, but because the Spirit was at work all along.
There is wisdom in recognizing that obedience is not always about speaking. Sometimes it is about trusting God enough to stay silent and let Him do what only He can do.
3. Obeying God When It Costs You Comfort
A man has been working in a company for over a decade. He enjoys his job, and his position is secure. Yet, he starts sensing that God is leading him to step into something new—perhaps a ministry calling, a different career, or a move to another location. It doesn’t make logical sense. The numbers don’t add up, and he risks leaving behind stability. But deep down, he knows God is asking him to take a step of faith.
The dilemma of obedience isn’t just about words—it’s also about actions. Will he trust God enough to walk into the unknown, even when it feels risky? After much prayer, he resigns and moves forward. The transition is difficult at first, but in time, he sees that God had prepared something far greater than what he left behind.
God often calls us out of our comfort zones, not to harm us, but to deepen our dependence on Him. When He leads, the safest place to be is in obedience, no matter how uncertain the path looks.
The Common Thread: Trusting the Shepherd’s Voice
In each of these scenarios, the core issue is not just about whether to speak or remain silent, whether to act or wait—it is about trusting the One who speaks. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). The more we respond in obedience, the more attuned we become to His voice, and the more confidence we have that His way is always best.
God’s call will not always be easy. It may cause discomfort, misunderstanding, or even rejection. But our confidence is not in how others respond—it is in the One who leads. Whether He asks us to speak a hard truth, to step back and trust, or to take an uncertain step of faith, our only response should be, “Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.”
Prayer of Trust
Father, we trust that Your voice is always leading us in perfect wisdom. Thank You for the confidence that we do not need to figure everything out, but only to yield to You moment by moment. We rest in the assurance that when You call us to speak, You also provide the words. When You call us to wait, You are still working. And when You call us to step forward, You have already prepared the way. May our obedience be a reflection of our trust in You. Amen.
Final Thought
Obedience is rarely convenient, but it is always right. Whether it is in speaking, stepping back, or moving forward, the call is the same: trust Him and obey.
(Credit: Insights drawn from My Utmost for His Highest, “The Dilemma of Obedience” by Oswald Chambers.)