Forsaking the Spirit of Saul by Pastor Paul Jacks (1 Samuel 15:1-35)

Devotional

Day 1: Partial Obedience is Still Disobedience

God calls us to full obedience, not just doing most of what He asks while holding back in certain areas of our lives. Like Saul, we may be tempted to obey God in ways that are convenient or comfortable, but true obedience means surrendering every part of ourselves to His will. When we choose which commands to follow and which to ignore, we are not truly following God at all. Instead, we are placing our own judgment above His, missing out on the blessings that come from wholehearted devotion. Examine your life for areas where you may be practicing “partial obedience” and ask God to help you surrender fully to Him. [13:11]

1 Samuel 15:22-23 (ESV)
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been obeying God only partially? What would it look like to fully surrender that area to Him today?

Day 2: Take Personal Responsibility—Don’t Blame Others

It is easy to shift blame onto others when we fall short, but God calls us to take responsibility for our actions and responses. Saul blamed his soldiers and the people for his disobedience, refusing to own up to his choices until he was confronted. In our own lives, we may be tempted to blame our upbringing, our circumstances, or the actions of others for our failures to obey God. But spiritual maturity means acknowledging our own role and seeking God’s help to change. Only when we stop making excuses can we truly grow and experience God’s transforming grace. [18:18]

Galatians 6:4-5 (ESV)
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

Reflection: When was the last time you blamed someone else for your own disobedience or shortcomings? How can you take personal responsibility and seek God’s forgiveness and help today?

Day 3: Religious Activity Cannot Replace a Heart of Obedience

God is not impressed by outward religious acts if our hearts are far from Him. Saul tried to justify his disobedience by offering sacrifices, but God saw through the empty ritual and desired true surrender. We too can fall into the trap of thinking that attending church, giving, or serving can make up for a lack of obedience in our daily lives. God wants our hearts, not just our actions. He desires that our worship and service flow from genuine love and devotion, not as a cover for disobedience. Let your outward acts of faith be a reflection of an obedient heart. [23:22]

Isaiah 29:13 (ESV)
And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men…”

Reflection: Are there any religious activities you participate in that have become empty routines? How can you realign your heart so that your worship and service are genuine expressions of love for God?

Day 4: The Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is not just a feeling or a momentary experience, but the very presence and power of God living within every believer. Unlike in Saul’s day, when the Spirit could depart, we have the promise that the Holy Spirit abides in us always, empowering us to live in obedience and to discern God’s will. It is by the Spirit’s strength that we can overcome sin, love our enemies, and live out the countercultural ways of God’s kingdom. Don’t minimize or ignore the Holy Spirit—invite Him to lead, convict, and empower you each day. [35:01]

Romans 8:11 (ESV)
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance right now? Will you invite Him to fill and lead you today?

Day 5: Jesus’ Sacrifice is Sufficient—Live in Grateful Obedience

The sacrificial system of the Old Testament pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, whose death and resurrection accomplished what animal sacrifices never could: the complete forgiveness of our sins. Because of Jesus, we are loved unconditionally and accepted by God—not because of what we do, but because of what Christ has done. Our obedience now is not to earn God’s love, but to respond in gratitude for His amazing grace. Let your life be a living sacrifice, joyfully surrendered to the One who gave everything for you. [44:35]

Hebrews 10:10-14 (ESV)
And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough change the way you approach obedience and worship? What is one way you can express your gratitude to Him today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15, where God’s command was clear: destroy the Amalekites and all they possessed. Saul, however, chose partial obedience—he spared King Agag and kept the best livestock, justifying his actions with religious intentions. This narrative is a mirror for us, revealing how easy it is to substitute outward religious activity for true surrender and obedience to God. The heart of the matter is that God desires our obedience more than our sacrifices, our devotion more than our rituals.

It’s tempting to think that as long as we’re active in church, giving, or serving, we’re in good standing with God. But God looks deeper—He examines our hearts and motives. Saul’s downfall began not with a single act, but with a pattern: partial obedience, blame-shifting, and using religious acts to cover disobedience. He even built a monument to himself, showing how pride can quietly replace humility and dependence on God. The lesson is sobering: when we stop listening to God and start doing things our own way, we risk drifting far from Him, even as we maintain the appearance of faithfulness.

Yet, God’s grace is persistent. Even when we stray, He calls us back, not to more activity, but to a heart that is surrendered and responsive to His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a force we “catch” or control, but the very presence of God within us, empowering us to live in obedience. Our lives are meant to be living testimonies, not just of what we do, but of who we are becoming in Christ. The call is to examine ourselves: Are we offering God our whole hearts, or just our outward actions? Are we willing to be corrected, to take responsibility, and to let God’s word and Spirit shape us, even when it’s uncomfortable?

Ultimately, the good news is that Jesus has fulfilled the sacrificial system once and for all. Our obedience is not a means to earn God’s love, but a grateful response to the love He has already shown us in Christ. We are invited to live lives marked by genuine devotion, humility, and a willingness to be led by the Spirit, knowing that obedience is better than sacrifice.

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Key Takeaways

1. Partial Obedience is Disobedience God’s instructions to Saul were explicit, yet Saul’s partial compliance revealed a heart unwilling to fully surrender. In our own lives, selective obedience—choosing which commands to follow and which to ignore—undermines our relationship with God. True faith is demonstrated not in doing “most” of what God asks, but in trusting Him enough to obey completely, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient. [12:29]
2. Blame-Shifting Blocks Growth When confronted with his failure, Saul quickly blamed others—the soldiers, the people—rather than owning his choices. This tendency to deflect responsibility is a barrier to spiritual maturity. Growth begins when we allow God’s truth to confront us, accept correction, and take responsibility for our actions, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient to restore and transform us. [17:45]
3. Religious Activity Cannot Substitute for Surrender Saul tried to justify his disobedience by offering sacrifices, but God was not impressed by outward acts that masked an unyielded heart. We too can fall into the trap of thinking that church attendance, giving, or service can compensate for areas where we refuse to yield to God. What God desires is not more activity, but a heart that is surrendered and aligned with His will. [21:22]
4. Pride Erodes Intimacy with God Saul’s shift from building altars to God to erecting monuments to himself is a warning about the subtlety of pride. When we begin to seek recognition or validation from others, or when we prioritize our own plans over God’s, we distance ourselves from His presence. Humility keeps us teachable and dependent on God, while pride leads to spiritual decline. [27:13]
5. The Holy Spirit Empowers True Obedience Unlike Saul, who lost the Spirit’s presence, believers today are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live out God’s commands. The Spirit is not a fleeting feeling but the abiding presence of God, guiding, convicting, and strengthening us to walk in obedience. Our task is to remain sensitive to His leading, allowing Him to shape our hearts and lives from the inside out. [35:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Men’s Health Awareness & Announcements
[03:47] - Introduction to 1 Samuel 15
[04:34] - Prayer for Guidance
[05:50] - Reading the Story of Saul’s Disobedience
[08:21] - Saul’s Partial Obedience Exposed
[11:03] - “To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice”
[12:29] - The Danger of Partial Obedience
[15:47] - Blame-Shifting and Avoiding Responsibility
[20:12] - The Upside-Down Kingdom: Responding God’s Way
[21:22] - Religious Activity vs. True Surrender
[27:13] - Pride and the Heart’s Condition
[31:14] - Yielding to God in Leadership and Life
[35:01] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[42:45] - Our Calling: Living as God’s Witnesses
[44:00] - Christ’s Sacrifice and the End of the Old System
[47:19] - Invitation to Salvation and Baptism
[49:18] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 15:1-24 (ESV) — (You may want to read the whole chapter, but focus on verses 1-24 for the main story.)

Observation Questions

What specific instructions did God give Saul through Samuel regarding the Amalekites? ([06:28])
In what ways did Saul fail to fully obey God’s command? What did he keep, and what did he destroy? ([08:21])
How did Saul respond when Samuel confronted him about his disobedience? Who did he blame? ([17:06])
What did Samuel say was more important to God than sacrifices? ([11:49])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Saul chose to keep King Agag and the best livestock, even though God’s command was clear? What might have been going on in his heart? ([08:21])
What does Saul’s pattern of blame-shifting and excuse-making reveal about his character and relationship with God? ([18:18])
Samuel says, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” What does this mean in the context of Saul’s actions, and what does it say about the difference between outward religious activity and true devotion? ([11:49])
How does pride show up in Saul’s story, especially in the way he built a monument to himself? What does this suggest about the dangers of seeking recognition? ([27:13])

Application Questions

The sermon said, “Partial obedience is still disobedience.” Are there areas in your life where you tend to obey God only partially? What would full obedience look like for you in those areas? ([12:29])
When you are confronted about something you’ve done wrong, do you tend to make excuses or blame others like Saul did? Can you think of a recent example? What would it look like to take responsibility instead? ([17:45])
The message warned against using religious activity (like church attendance, giving, or serving) to cover up a heart that isn’t surrendered. Are there ways you might be “doing” for God without truly “being” with God? How can you shift from activity to surrender? ([21:22])
Saul built a monument to himself after the battle. In what ways can pride sneak into your own life, even in your service to God or others? How can you practice humility and keep your focus on God’s glory instead of your own? ([27:13])
The sermon reminded us that the Holy Spirit empowers us to obey God, not just our own willpower. How can you become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in your daily life? Are there practices or habits that help you listen to God’s voice? ([35:01])
The story of Saul is a warning about drifting from God while still looking religious on the outside. What are some warning signs that you might be drifting spiritually? What steps can you take to return to a surrendered heart? ([29:21])
The good news is that Jesus has already fulfilled the sacrificial system. How does knowing that your obedience is a response to God’s love (not a way to earn it) change your motivation to follow Him? ([44:00])

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