As Serious As Witchcraft or Idol Worship

Samuel rebuked King Saul for picking and choosing which of God's instructions he would follow. Saul stubbornly defended himself (1 Samuel 15).

Then Samuel said, "Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols" (1 Samuel 15:23). 

Saul insincerely apologized, and God removed his anointing from Saul that day.

Christians understand the serious nature of witchcraft and idol worship – but do we understand the serious nature of rebellion and stubbornness?

Just as King Saul amended God's instructions to please his men (1 Samuel 15:24), many professing Christians amend God's commands to please peers, culture, or their sinful desires. 

They argue their twisted views as stubbornly as Saul argued his.

Culture promotes foul language, drunkenness, focus on outward appearance, materialism, premarital sex, homosexuality, transgenderism, and other evils.

Professing Christians who defend any of these things are in stubborn rebellion against God and His Word.

We must guard our hearts against rebellion and stubbornness as seriously as we guard against witchcraft and idolatry. 
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Note: This and other passages in Scripture tell us that God considers some sins more serious than others. Unfortunately, there is a false belief circulating among Christians that all sins are equal in God's eyes. Read what Scripture actually teaches about this subject: All Sins Are Not The Same

Additional Note: I hate bigotry. I've writen about the evil of racism in multiple devotions. (e.g. God's View of Racism, Flags or People) 

The first two years this devotion was online, it featured two images of a white woman, and I didn't receive any negative feedback. When I edited this devotion, I used three new images, one of a black woman and the two of a white man. No one was offended by the use of the white male. However, I received several comments about my prejudice in using the image of the black woman even though the title on the image was almost identical to that used with the white woman and the white man ("Beware: Scripture says this sin is a serious as witchcraft"). The title is a warning, not a mug shot, and I feel that the real prejudice is in the eye of the beholder, not in the image itself. I removed the image of the black woman, not because it was prejudiced, but because a few random souls perceived it as such. But I would like to point out that Christians are called to give each other the benefit of the doubt. Petty scrutiny and nit-picky criticism are not Christian qualities.
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To read Saul's ridiculous excuses: Short List
To read more about Saul's rebellion: Partial Obedience
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