Yield versus Obey

Yield versus Obey

The other day I was reading Romans 6 and the words “yield” and “obey” caught my attention. Before I pulled up an online dictionary to look up the word definitions, (which if you are interested, I add at the end of this article*), I got to thinking what the words were telling me. Let’s first look at the passage and then I’ll elaborate.

Rom.6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  [17]  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

I looked at that statement, “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey”, and the word “yield” just bounced off the screen. I got to thinking that so many people see the bible as a book of rules to obey, but Paul here was using the word “yield”, not “obey”. As I continued to think about these two words, my mind veered to the two corresponding road signs and what they meant. If I drove a car and approached a yield sign, it was informing me that I should slow down and carefully observe my surroundings and then continue if all was safe and clear. It did not matter if I slowed down or stopped, but what mattered was if it was safe to continue. On the other hand, if I approach a stop sign, I must stop, even if everything is clear around me. There is a law connected to the stop sign whereas a yield sign allows me to use my own discretion. If I’m cautious but don’t stop at a yield sign, I don’t break the law, but if I don’t stop at a stop sign, I’m breaking the law, and I can be fined or incarcerated.

With this example in mind, I came back to the verse and thought of the context of the words in its current setting. “Obey” is explicit; there’s no room for interpretation or discretion. It is connected to rules and commands, which must be obeyed, and if not, one violates or transgresses the law. “Yield” however, is implicit. It allows for more discretion and requires understanding context and the flexibility to even making a judgment call in that moment. Isn’t that interesting? So many believers are trapped in a law-based relationship with God, some knowing, others unknowing, but it is sad to say that this is the majority of Christendom, yet Paul encourages us to grow up and through our knowledge of the doctrine we are to be making our own judgement calls concerning life, concerning righteousness, and concerning our walk before God?

Throughout Pauls letters there are quite a few verses that back up this idea. Consider the following.

Rom.12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Phil.2:12-13  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  [13]  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Eph.5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Phil.1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Col.1:9-10 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

1Thess.5:21-22 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

2Tim.2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Heb.5:13-14  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  [14]  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

In each of these verses above there is a common theme. Our mind must be renewed by our doctrine. We are to be knowledgeable concerning our doctrine. We must have a mature understanding to prove what is good versus what is not. We must have gained wisdom to understand the will of God so we can make choices and walk worth of the Lord unto all pleasing. Over and over Paul tells us that we are to grow in knowledge, mature in understanding, and be wise to our grace doctrine and then to learn to yield to it in faith so that the word can work out of us the fruits of righteousness. 

When we “yield” to God, we are essentially obeying Him out of a desire to align our will with His. It’s a voluntary act of surrender and devotion. On the other hand, “to obey” is more about complying (observing) to commands or rules, which might not always involve voluntary submission. One can obey without yielding (i.e., follow rules in obstinance, without a willing submission), where yielding is deeper, involving a desire to obey as an integral part of it.

This is not something for a babe in Christ or a child in the faith. Parents do not typically allow their babies and young children to use discretion in life issues. Similarly, when it comes to issues of faith, babes and children are expected to obey. There is no discretion here as they have no understanding or wisdom. Sons on the other hand have matured to the point where they can use discretion. They would have learned to yield to wisdom, understanding the judgements of their Father and following willingly in His footsteps.

Let me end with these three verses that I came across in my study on this topic. Consider the following and determine if they represent yielding or obedience.

Phil.2:7  But [Jesus] made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Phil.2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

2Cor.10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

For me, the first two are examples of yielding, and the third is obedience. 

Here is why.

Philippians 2:7-8:

Reason for Yielding: This passage describes Jesus’ actions, where he made himself of no reputation, took on the form of a servant, and humbled himself. These actions reflect a voluntary surrender and yielding to God’s will. Jesus’ ultimate yielding is highlighted in his obedience unto death on the cross, demonstrating a complete and willing submission to God’s plan.

Philippians 2:12:

Reason for Yielding: Paul commends the Philippians for their willingness to follow his teachings and obey God’s commands even in his absence. Their consistent behaviour demonstrates a voluntary yielding to Paul’s doctrine, even if the teacher was not around to check up on them.

2 Corinthians 10:5:

Reason for Obedience: This verse emphasizes the act of casting down imaginations and anything that opposes the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. The focus here is on actively following a command, which requires conscious effort and discipline. The act of bringing thoughts into obedience reflects a direct response to a command, rather than a voluntary yielding.

I hope these examples help to clarify the difference between yielding (a voluntary submission) and obedience (a response to a command), providing a clearer understanding of this view in the context of the verses.

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BTW: Here are the dictionary definitions I mentioned I’d add for any interested readers:

*Based on dictionary terminology, the words “yield” and “obey” share some similarities but are used in different contexts. Here are the key distinctions:

Yield:

• Meaning: To give way, to surrender, or to comply with a request or a demand.
• Context: Often used in situations where one person or thing allows another to go ahead or take precedence.
• Synonyms: Surrender, give up, concede.

Obey:

• Meaning: To follow rules, orders, or instructions.
• Context: Used when someone follows directives or laws given by an authority figure.
• Synonyms: Follow, comply with, adhere to.

In summary, to “yield” is more about giving way, surrendering, or allowing something to happen, while “obey” is more explicit and concerns following rules or instructions given by someone in authority. It is subtle, but there is a clear difference in context.