God's Goodness & Severity - Soul Choice Ministries

The purpose of this video is to help us understand why Christians are called to walk in the fear of the Lord and obey God’s commands. Many people claim they love God, but they don’t truly fear Him. To fear God means to respect Him enough to obey whatever He says in His Word.

Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

David said in Psalm 119:120, “My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments.”

We all need a healthy, reverential fear of Almighty God and must understand that there are consequences for sin. Just as there are physical laws in place, there are also spiritual laws. One of those is the law of sowing and reaping. Another is the law of sin and death. Continual sin will ultimately lead to death.

Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.”

In this video, we will share some verses highlighting God’s great love, goodness, and forgiveness. However, we’ll also examine true biblical accounts of His severity toward those who reject His ways. These examples should compel us to repent and turn away from sinful lifestyles. You might think some of these events were too harsh or severe—but God sees it differently. This is a side of His character we also need to know. Some of the individuals in these stories were unbelievers; others were God’s own people.

Examples of God’s Judgment in Scripture

Lot’s Wife – Death penalty for looking back (Genesis 19:26). She was turned into a pillar of salt after glancing back, disobeying God’s command
Nadab and Abihu – Capital punishment for unauthorized worship. They offered strange fire before the Lord and were struck dead. (Leviticus 10:1–2; Numbers 3:4; 26:61; 1 Chronicles 24:2)
Achan – Stole devoted items; his entire family was destroyed due to his greed (Joshua 7:1, 24–25)
Uzzah – Died for touching the ark of the covenant, even with good intent (2 Samuel 6:6–7)
Miriam – Became leprous for challenging Moses’ leadership (Numbers 12:1–10)
Korah and his followers – The earth opened up and swallowed their families for rebelling against Moses (Numbers 16:32–33)
14,700 people killed – Plague sent after accusing Moses of killing Korah (Numbers 16:41)
250 men consumed by fire – Claimed to be holy when they were not (Numbers 16:35)
King Jeroboam’s hand withered – For attempting to arrest a prophet (1 Kings 13:1–4)
Unnamed Prophet killed by a lion – For disobeying God’s command, even though deceived by another prophet (1 Kings 13:24)
Ananias and Sapphira – Died for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1–10)
Herod – Struck down and eaten by worms for taking glory that belonged to God
Zacharias – Struck mute for doubting God’s promise (Luke 1:18–20)
Simon the Sorcerer – Blinded for practicing sorcery (Acts 13:11)
King Jeroboam – Died because he led Israel into idolatry (2 Chronicles 13:20)
Abimelech – God warned him in a dream that if he did not release Abraham’s wife, Sarah, he and his household would die (Genesis 20:2–7)
King Nebuchadnezzar – Lost his sanity for seven years for claiming credit for Babylon’s greatness
(Daniel 4:30–33) “While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven…”

A fitting verse for many of these accounts:
Proverbs 6:15, “Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.”

God’s Long-suffering and Compassion

Even in the Old Testament, God demonstrated great mercy:

Jeremiah 5:1 – “Run up and down every street,” says the Lord. “Look high and low; search throughout the city! If you can find even one just and honest person, I will not destroy the city.”
Jeremiah 8:4–5 – “When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back? Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people refuse to turn back [even though I warned them]?”
Psalm 145:8–9 – “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.”

Throughout the Old Testament, God continually forgave Israel when they turned from their sin and cried out to Him.

A True Personal Story

Years ago, I was asked by the pastor of a church I was attending to become a board member. I prayed about it and felt strongly that God told me not to accept the position. The pastor asked again. I prayed again, and God still said no. A third time, the pastor asked—this time saying the entire board felt I should join. Again, I prayed and sensed God warning me not to accept. But eventually, I gave in, thinking perhaps I had misheard God. That day—July 9th—I became a board member. It was also the last day I made any income.

Despite my efforts—working hard, fasting, praying, rebuking, binding, and confessing—nothing changed. My income, which had been around $250K per year, dropped to zero. Yet the expenses to run my office remained. I knew in my heart that it was God who had stopped it.

After one full year of financial stress and no income, something remarkable happened. On July 9th, exactly one year later, I made my first sale to the day. You might say, “That’s too severe. God wouldn’t do that!” But you’d be wrong. God had spoken to me three times, and I disobeyed. I wasn’t a new believer. I had been a Christian for 24 years. I was accountable.

By that point, I had accumulated $175,000 in debt. It would have taken me four years to repay it. But God’s mercy prevailed. I began selling homes rapidly and was able to repay the entire amount in just four months. That was the goodness of God. Yes, He dealt with me severely during that year, but afterward, He also blessed me and delivered me quickly.

Romans 11:22 says, “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God.”

We serve a good and loving God. We must also remember that He is a God of justice and judgment. May we commit this coming year to walk in His ways and in the fear of the Lord.