Biblical Answer

To determine if you are living in obedience to God's will or just living by your own standards, it is essential to understand the difference between obedience and self-willed decisions. Obedience is not about following rules or doing good actions, but rather about committing yourself completely to God and being willing to act solely on what He says. This means that you must be grounded in reality, not just relying on your own understanding or feelings.

To cultivate obedience, it is crucial to prioritize your relationship with God. This involves holding God's standard in front of you and allowing your conscience to guide you. When you have a right-standing relationship with God, you experience a life of freedom, liberty, and delight, and your commonsense decisions align with His will. However, when you rely on your own thoughts, insights, or understandings, you hinder obedience to God. It is essential to abandon yourself to God in total surrender, not just when it's convenient or easy but in all circumstances.

In order to distinguish between obedience and self-willed decisions, it is vital to examine your motivations and actions. Ask yourself if you are making choices based on your personal relationship with God or if you are driven by your own desires and interests. When you prioritize your relationship with God, you will experience a sense of surrender and submission, which is the hallmark of obedience. On the other hand, when you rely on your own will, you will struggle with doubt, fear, and uncertainty. By prioritizing your relationship with God and surrendering to His will, you can ensure that you are living in obedience to His will, not just living by your own standards. This requires a deep commitment to faith and a willingness to abandon yourself to God in all circumstances.