The Liberty of Obedience

by Elisabeth Elliot

For a whole year Elisabeth Elliot watched and learned and had nothing to say. She was living among the Auca Indians of Ecuador-the same tribe that had killed her husband, Jim Elliot-and she did not know the language. This year of observation and enforced silence stripped her of everything but the barest of essentials and the simplest of truths. In this book Elisabeth Elliot calls on us to examine more closely our own obedience to God, measuring it in terms of our experience of His freedom, grace and love.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christianity, Theology

94 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

From the Author's Web Site: My parents were missionaries in Belgium where I was born. When I was a few months old, we came to the U.S. and lived in Germantown, not far from Philadelphia, where my father became an editor of the Sunday School Times. Some of my contemporaries may remember the publication which was used by hundreds of churches for their weekly unified Sunday School teaching materials.

Our family continued to live in Philadelphia and then in New Jersey until I left home to attend Wheaton College. By that time, the family had increased to four brothers and one sister. My studies in classical Greek would one day enable me to work in the area of unwritten languages to develop a form of writing.

A year after I went to Ecuador, Jim Elliot, whom I had met at Wheaton, also entered tribal areas with the Quichua Indians. In nineteen fifty three we were married in the city of Quito and continued our work together. Jim had always hoped to have the opportunity to enter the territory of an unreached tribe. The Aucas were in that category -- a fierce group whom no one had succeeded in meeting without being killed. After the discovery of their whereabouts, Jim and four other missionaries entered Auca territory. After a friendly contact with three of the tribe, they were speared to death.

Our daughter Valerie was 10 months old when Jim was killed. I continued working with the Quichua Indians when, through a remarkable providence, I met two Auca women who lived with me for one year. They were the key to my going in to live with the tribe that had killed the five missionaries. I remained there for two years.

After having worked for two years with the Aucas, I returned to the Quichua work and remained there until 1963 when Valerie and I returned to the U.S.

Since then, my life has been one of writing and speaking. It also included, in 1969, a marriage to Addison Leitch, professor of theology at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Massachusetts. He died in 1973. After his death I had two lodgers in my home. One of them married my daughter, the other one, Lars Gren, married me. Since then we have worked together.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small but insightful. This text pushed me to contemplate what I have accepted as Christian and challenged me to recognize the difference between obedience to God and cultural inclinations within Christianity.

[Sandra]

I find it interesting that I was reading this book the week that Elizabeth Elliot died.

This is a very small book but the message stretches the mind and perhaps moves us out of our North American church comfort zone.

It made me wish I could sit down and discuss the topics with her in person.

I read this book almost 4 years ago and reread it in 2020. It was the title that challenged me. We don't usually think of obedience as a "freedom" but rather constricting. Elisabeth Elliot makes the case that it is only in obedience to God that we can have true freedom.

[Megan Torrance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the new perspective that Mrs. Elliot gave. What is true worldliness? We have so many definitions in today's society. Some things that we think are ok are not ok when we are in another culture or group of people. We must seek to be so one with God that we are constantly able to give love to people of all cultures. The very essence of true obedience - listening to the Holy Spirit as we read and study His Word.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite writers. Elliot's wisdom and grace are fully displayed in this short work that offers genuine encouragement and instruction on how to grow in obedience to the Lord. She addresses and easily avoids legalism, and focuses on the joy seeking and relational aspects of attaining to obedience and holiness.

[Lindsey Doolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good old, good old meaty stuff for a Christian wanting to walk faithfully and humbly before God. Four or five short chapters on obedience in different areas of life. Excellent chapter on service, humility, and greatness in the Kingdom.

[Aaron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short, but changed my thinking on "avoid the very appearance of evil."

[JordanMarie Proctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very straightforward and encouraging. :)

[Sarah Fowler Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful little book on Christian discernment and maturity.

[Jessi Bayly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I have a feeling this book will be one of my go to's for the rest of my life.

[Rhoda Yost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stop looking for what other people may think about what God tells you to do. Obey Him without hesitation Each Christian has a different work to do & the Lord wants us to look to Him for approval.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece that should be a must read for thoughtful Christians seeking to navigate the ever changing face of modern culture.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explores the deeper meaning behind spiritual obedience to God, and how it is not limiting but liberating. Elisabeth Elliot draws on her experiences living with the Aucas native tribe to strip away all the distractions of American culture and all the social rules that we mistake for God's rules. When you consider only the instructions of the Bible, obedience to those instructions becomes very simple and joyful.

I loved this little book so much! Elisabeth Elliot packs a lot of meaning into just a few concise words. She really cuts to the heart of each topic, leaving you with a sense of clarity and hope.

There are chapters about virtue and sin, worldliness, godly service, and discernment. Every chapter is full of wisdom that is rooting in Scripture! She begins each topic by examining how those things would apply to the Aucas natives. If we take away the context of culture and social expectations, what does it really mean to be virtuous, to reject the "world", to serve God, and to discern between good and evil? We get the answers straight from the Bible, and then explore ways to apply those Bible truths in our own lives.

This book is so inspiring and liberating! Really beautiful!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

These thoughts from Mrs. Elliot were born while living among the Aucas. She found things were not so simple as they seemed and she also found that she had been mistaken on many "categories" in life and living. Things were not as she thought... Elisabeth calls on us to examine more closely our obedience to God, measuring it in terms of our experience of His freedom, grace and love. Contains 4 sections: What is meant by the appearance of evil?, All things are Yours, The highest form of service, and Maturity: the power to discern. This book will make you think, and examine your beliefs. It helped me to see how wrong it is for to judge a person based on "appearance" of eveil if it's not clearly black and white. I'd highly recommend this little book to anyone!

[Jaclynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some thoughts on Christian conduct and service. Brief articles written while Elisabeth lived among the Aucas for a year. Titles are: What is Meant by the Appearance of Evil? All things are Yours, The Highest Form of Service, & Maturity: The Power to Discern. This year of observation and enforced silence stripped her of everything but the barest of essentials and the simplest of truths.

[Laura Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elisabeth Elliot discusses the issue of sharing christ with pologamous tribal natives and where biblical standards are simplified to person of Jesus.

[Janna]

I started this and am finishing it and it is amazing!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was too short to get into great depth, but it had some good thoughts about the Christian life and how we are to treat others.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick read. Very thought provoking book. Made me really think outside the box on different scriptures and how they related to America vs. "Tribal" people.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short philosophical book that tries to answer… What is worldliness? What is holiness? Not everything temporal is condemned as evil if God sanctified the tabernacle (literally meaning temporary) and marriage (which does not last into heaven). The heart is what determines whether something is clean or unclean…we cannot make clear delineations like the Pharisees did so well and so massively missed the point by crucifying Jesus. We must mature as the Holy Spirit works in us as we read God’s Word and learn His ways by our relationship with Him…

“God is absolute. His Word is authority. Still, it is at the same time anything but cut and dried.” Then she quotes this poem:

“For the Love of God is broader,
Than the measure of a man’s mind;
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.

But we make His love too narrow,
By false limits of our own
And we magnify its strictness,
With a zeal He will not own.” -Frederick W. Faber

[Emily W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has excerpts Elliot compiled from her writings in the South America. It is a great book to pick up over a couple of days to prick our thoughts, and has some interesting concepts to think about as she had to redefine "christian" to herself when she met these well-mannered natives. What was lacking was that she didn't tie everything in well together. I can see where each section could go into the subject of the title, but the strong connection you expect out of books just wasn't there. 3.5 stars.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this concise, well-written book. It is quite thought-provoking, leading you to think deeply about what it really means to live a life of Christian-service— what the Bible says, not what the world or the church says. She also discusses how we grow into maturity through the very act of practicing discernment (while trusting and seeking Him) as the inevitable difficulties and dilemmas of life arise.

[Xing Yi Ngiam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The low rating I'm giving is not an indictment of the biblical truths that Elliot tries to impart, but instead of the editorial mess. It is so badly structured and incoherent that I struggle to glean clear messages from the very short book.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, simple challenge for Christians. Elisabeth Elliot, as usual, does not tell you how you ought to think, but gives you her thoughts to ponder and allow God to work His convictions for you into your heart.

[Patricia Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tonic. Clear thinking, broad thinking, rethinking her thinking. Very stimulating read to consider the Christian life apart from American trappings. I think I read this book 30 or 40 years ago and always kept it to re-read one day. It’s still astonishes me.

[Isabell Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved pretty much everything Elisabeth Elliot that I’ve read. And this book was really relevant and speaking to some thoughts and questions in my own heart right now. A very short book, each chapter only a few pages long, but full of insight and truth. Highly recommended.

[Jeremy Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. It was engaging and posed very important questions. I really wish it was longer and that there were more answers, especially with regard to the Auca Indians. Definitely recommend it to provoke thoughtful growth in conformity to Christ.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as dull as the title suggests. I found it helpful.

[Aberdeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough, honest questions from a strong Christian who's willing to admit she doesn't understand everything. That's very refreshing in this day and age.