Paula initially obeys the New Testament teachings on modest dress with what the chapter calls “dutiful servant obedience,” while inwardly wishing God had never given such rules; what does that reaction reveal about how we can relate to God’s commands while still trying to “please” Him?
Another way to ask: Paula follows the modesty rules but wishes God hadn’t made them. What does this show about obeying God just to “do the right thing” instead of trusting His heart?
Direct Answer
The transcript shows that a person can “obey” God outwardly in order to please Him while inwardly resisting His will, treating His commands as unwanted burdens rather than good gifts.
Support from Transcript:
Paula’s obedience was “solely tied to dutiful servant obedience”—she followed the rules because “He gave these commands, and she wanted to please God.”
At the same time, “inwardly… she wished He had never given such rules,” showing a divided heart.
She “hated the way she looked without makeup” and “sorely missed her glittering jewelry and designer clothes,” revealing emotional resistance even while complying.
Her compliance even became entangled with pride: she could “look down on other women,” which “gave her great pleasure.”
Discussion Follow-ups
How do we tell the difference between obedience flowing from love and obedience fueled mainly by fear, duty, or comparison with others?
