1 Samuel 13:12 (NKJV)
“then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”

There are many ways to respond and not to respond. Many times, the reasons why we do things are more important than the things we do, and they can influence the outcomes of our actions.

Never respond because you feel pressured by people or circumstances to act. Responding because of pressure is the best way to make a wrong decision. Even when under immense pressure, ask yourself the hard question: “Am I doing this because I believe this is the best thing for me to do in this situation, or am I doing this out of some kind of pressure?”

In his explanation to Samuel, Saul revealed that his actions were made because of external and internal pressures. He said in verse 11, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me.” The reality of his army abandoning him, “compelled” him to do what he was not supposed to do. He did what he was not supposed to do because of the people.

Then again, he said to Samuel in verse 12, “I felt compelled.” Who was compelling him? Actually, no-one. This was an internal pressure. His own heart made him act in a particular way, out of fear. Internal pressures are actually more powerful than external ones, and are much more difficult to resist. Either way, Saul felt under immense pressure to act, and he acted wrongly.

We must resist these kinds of inordinate pressure to make pressured decisions. One of the requirements for spiritual living in these last days is “spiritually-minded decision-making.” Making pressured decisions because of others or because we feel we must, are part of the lies that can lead us into bondage, or strip us of our blessings.

Our world is full of pressures. People are making life-changing decisions without first seeking God’s face. People are under immense pressures to act in certain ways out of fears for their lives and for their future. We can’t get rid of the pressures, but we can control how we act.

When the pressures mount, slow the pace down. Take a deep breath. Quieten your spirit. Look again at the scenario. Ask questions. Listen to heavenly whispers. Remember God’s instructions to you. Then act only out of conviction that you are doing what is right, and pleasing to God.