In ANH, as Obi-Wan is teaching Luke about the Force aboard the Falcon, Luke asked if the Force controls a person’s actions.
Obi-Wan replied, “it [The Force] also obeys your commands.”
A Jedi may be able to control the Force, but no one can buy or control God or the gifts He gives.
In Acts 8:18-22, we read about how a former magician Simon (8:9) tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit (8:18-19).
We read in verses 20-22, “Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.’”
Simon thought he could control God. People may not be as bold as Simon and think they can buy God, but people do believe that there is a way they can have God obey our commands.
We may not call them commands but will often disguise our commands as a prayer concern.
How else do we try to manipulate God?
Do we do good works in hopes of earning God’s favor?
Do we try quid pro quo (something for something) with God?
Do we help so that God or His church will look good, then because we did that, God will bless us?
We often think God wants us to be happy so He will give in to our wants.
We try to debate God using our intelligence and reason. Some attempt to apply God’s Word to debate God to put Him in a corner and hold Him to His promises.
We are to bend our will and desire to match God’s.
We should not expect Him to bend to our will.
Otherwise, He is not God.
