My Dad when my brother and I were growing up used to tell us at times, more times than I care to remember to be honest, “Quit backtalking me.” In plain English, he was telling us to stop resisting, rebelling, arguing, debating, doing anything and everything but humbling ourselves and obeying our Dad. Decades later now, it comes to mind that this is exactly what we may find ourselves doing with God. And this absolutely must stop. We need to quit backtalking God.
Does any of this sound familiar? God, I don’t want to! God, I’m not going to do that! God, I don’t feel like it! God, I have better things to do! God, I’m doing it my way! God, my plans are better! God, I’ll obey you when I’m good and ready! God, I’m not in the mood! God, I’m in charge here! God, there is absolutely no way I’m going there! God, you’re wrong! God, my way is better! God, stop telling me what to do! God, I’m not going to listen to you! A big etcetera.
I am sad to say for years I did loads of this. And God brought to my attention time and again that this is NOT acceptable. This is NOT the kind of obedience we are to have. We are to yield ourselves utterly to the Lord. We are to surrender entirely. We are to wholly submit to God. With a good attitude. With joy (we are to always rejoice – Phil. 4:4) and thanksgiving (we are to be thankful in everything – 1 Thess. 5:18). God has changed me over the years, He is growing me, but I still have plenty of growing to do with all this.
How about you? Where do you stand with this?
It’s time for us all to quit backtalking God. If He tells us to do something, we’re to do it. Without the backtalk. With love, humility, joy, and thanksgiving.
Familiar with the miracle of Jesus turning water to wine? Please notice the obedience of the servants. There was no hesitation. And no backtalk. They simply obeyed. As we should do also.
Let’s make a resolution and stick to it. No more backtalk. And should we fall, let us repent right away. And learn to do obedience right. Backtalk-free. Hallelujah! Amen!
“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:1-11 NKJV