Obedience has been framed as something that costs you your freedom, your joy, your desires. For many women, obedience has felt heavy instead of life-giving. Somewhere along the way, relationship was replaced with rules, and freedom was confused with restriction.
In this episode of The Reclaimed Woman Podcast, I’m unpacking one of the most misunderstood ideas in the Christian walk that obedience to God is restrictive rather than relational.
We walk through Scripture to see how Jesus defines obedience, why Paul fiercely defended freedom in Christ, and how Spirit-led obedience actually releases us from fear, control, striving, and self-protection.
This conversation is for the woman who loves God but secretly feels like obedience has required her to shrink, settle, or suppress who she is. You’ll hear how biblical obedience is not about earning God’s love, but responding to it and how true freedom is found on the other side of surrender.
If you’ve ever wrestled with control, fear, or disordered desires, this episode invites you into alignment instead of striving, and peace instead of pressure.
Scripture References (NIV):
John 14:15 — Obedience as a response to love
Galatians 5:1 — Freedom in Christ, not a return to bondage
Romans 7:22 — Delight in God’s law through the Spirit
Hebrews 12:1 — Throwing off what entangles
Psalm 119:45 & 47 — Walking in freedom through God’s commands
Referenced Teaching & Themes:
Freedom in Christ vs. works-based religion
The role of the flesh vs. the Spirit
Obedience as protection, not punishment
Matthew Henry’s commentary on Psalm 119
Connect with Me:
Website: https://www.christiratcliff.com/
Podcast: The Reclaimed Woman Podcast (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean)
Instagram: @christi_ratcliff_coaching
Next Steps:Step 1: Spend time this week identifying one area where God has already been inviting your obedience—and choose to say yes.
Step 2: Journal through the reflection prompts shared in this episode and invite the Holy Spirit to lead the process.
Step 3: If you want support walking out Spirit-led obedience with clarity and confidence, explore coaching at christiratcliff.com.
Where have I believed the lie that obedience costs me something?
What area of my life is God inviting me to surrender not to lose, but to gain freedom?
What might peace, joy, and alignment look like on the other side of obedience?
