9 Habits of Highly Effective People: Habit No. 3

“To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

Highly effective people are not just those who have good intentions or big plans. They are people who actually obey. The Bible teaches us a powerful truth that is both challenging and freeing: God values obedience more than hard work alone.

One of the most well-known modern examples is S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A.

From a business point of view, closing restaurants on Sundays makes no sense. Sunday is one of the most profitable days in the fast-food industry. Competitors stay open, sales soar, and footfall is high. Every consultant would say the same thing:

“Open on Sundays or you’re leaving money on the table.”

But Truett Cathy made a deliberate decision based on his Christian convictions. He chose to keep all Chick-fil-A restaurants closed on Sundays, so employees could rest, worship, and spend time with family.

This decision was not convenient.

It meant guaranteed loss of revenue every single week.

It meant swimming against business logic and industry norms.

Yet Cathy refused to compromise.

And yet—remarkably—Chick-fil-A consistently ranks among the highest-earning fast-food chains per store in the United States, often outperforming competitors who operate seven days a week.

Many people start their journey with excitement, passion, and clear vision. They pray, dream, and plan well. But as time goes on, challenges come, pressure increases, and obedience becomes uncomfortable. That is where many give up or lose focus.

Those who truly finish strong are not always the most gifted or energetic. They are the ones who keep obeying God even when it is difficult, slow, or unseen. Obedience keeps them aligned with God’s will and that alignment is what brings lasting fruit and true success.

Obedience is the bridge between revelation and results.

1. Obedience Is the Proof of Trust

In the Bible, obedience is never portrayed as legalism it is portrayed as relationship. Lord Jesus said plainly,

“If you love Me, keep My commandments”
(John 14:15).

Obedience reveals who we trust. When obedience is delayed, partial, or conditional, it exposes divided loyalty.

Saul was the first king of Israel. He was one of the most handsome men in Israel. He had everything going for him, and he obeyed selectively — here’s how the Bible clearly shows it

He obeyed the instruction, but not the intention

In 1 Samuel 15, God gave King Saul a very clear command through Samuel:

“Destroy completely everything they have.” (1 Samuel 15:3)

Saul went to battle and won. On the surface, it looked like obedience. But he kept King Agag alive and spared the best of the livestock (1 Samuel 15:8–9).

He obeyed what suited him, but ignored what cost him.

➡️ Selective obedience happens when we do part of what God says, but not all of it.

Highly effective people understand this principle: delayed obedience is disobedience, and partial obedience is rebellion dressed in reason.

2. Obedience Often Precedes Understanding

One of the greatest myths is that clarity comes before obedience. Scripture teaches the opposite. Abraham was called to leave without knowing the destination (Genesis 12:1–4; Hebrews 11:8). Understanding followed obedience.

The Lord Jesus confirmed this spiritual order when He said,

“If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine” (John 7:17).

Revelation follows obedience, not debate. Many are waiting for confirmation, feelings, or convenience while God is waiting for surrender.

Highly effective believers move when God speaks, not when circumstances are comfortable.

3. Obedience Unlocks Divine Backing

Throughout Scripture, divine power follows obedience. At the Red Sea, the waters parted only after Moses stretched out the rod (Exodus 14:15–16). At Jericho, victory came after disciplined obedience to strange instructions (Joshua 6).

God backs what He commands.

Lord Jesus demonstrated this pattern when He told Peter to cast the net again after a night of failure (Luke 5:4–6). Obedience unlocked abundance where effort failed.

Highly effective people do not rely on logic alone; they rely on divine instruction. They know that one word obeyed can outperform years of human effort.

4. Obedience Sustains Long-Term Effectiveness

Many succeed briefly through talent, charisma, or connections. But Scripture teaches that obedience sustains longevity.

Lord Jesus Himself learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8) not because He lacked holiness, but because obedience matures authority. Apostle Paul says the same thing when he writes,

“You were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart” (Romans 6:17).

True obedience is not external compliance

it is heart-level submission.

Highly effective people obey when it is unseen, unrewarded, and uncomfortable. They obey in private, and God honors them in public. They know this:

Convenience builds comfort; obedience builds destiny.

5. Obedience Is the Language Heaven Responds To

Scripture repeatedly shows that heaven responds to obedience faster than to sacrifice, noise, or activity. When Elijah rebuilt the altar according to God’s order, fire fell (1 Kings 18).

Effectiveness in the kingdom is not about doing more it is about doing what God said.

This is why Lord Jesus concluded with this warning and promise:

“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Highly effective people do not argue with instruction. They obey and let God handle the results.

This is Habit No. 3. Where obedience is consistent, effectiveness becomes inevitable.

Bible Reading: Genesis 34-36

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9 Habits of Highly Effective People: Habit No. 3

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