Explain Bible

What does the Bible say about following instructions?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that believers should gladly follow God’s commands, receive wise and lawful guidance from those He appoints, and test all instruction by Scripture. Hebrews 13:17 calls Christians to respect faithful spiritual overseers, while Proverbs 1:8 commends hearing parental instruction and Proverbs 11:14 values wise counsel. Yet obedience is never blind: 2 Timothy 3:16 establishes Scripture as God’s sufficient standard for teaching and correction, and 1 John 2:3-4 ties true knowledge of Christ to keeping His commands. God guides His people through His Word and providence, as Psalm 32:8 promises, and the church should follow Christ’s example above all, as 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 teaches.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Hebrews 13:17

    Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.

  • Proverbs 1:8

    My son, listen to your father's instruction, And don't forsake your mother's teaching:

  • Psalms 32:8

    I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.

  • 2 Timothy 3:16

    Every writing inspired by God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness,

  • 1 John 2:3-4

    [3] This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. [4] One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him.

  • Acts 13:1-4

    [1] Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. [2] As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them." [3] Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. [4] So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.

  • Proverbs 11:14

    Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, But in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

  • 1 Timothy 3:14-15

    [14] These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; [15] but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:1-2

    [1] Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ. [2] Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.

  • John 2:6-10

    [6] Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. [7] Jesus said to them, "Fill the water pots with water." They filled them up to the brim. [8] He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast." So they took it. [9] When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn't know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom, [10] and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!"

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about following instructions and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about following instructions