AUTHORITY
DEFINITION: An authority is someone who is set over you in a structured environment for specific purposes. Examples are your boss in the workplace, your spiritual leader, the government of your nation, and law enforcement officials.
FACTS ABOUT AUTHORITY:
You are set free in Christ, but still under authority. Christ sets you free from sin, guilt, and condemnation, but not from God’s authority and the authorities ordained by God.
Authority provides positive structure. In the home, community, church, the workplace, and government, authority provides structure within which you can live your life confidently.
All authority is from God. When you rebel against legitimate authority, you rebel against God: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-3).
DEALING WITH AUTHORITY:
You must obey authorities. Because all authority is from God, you are to obey instead of rebel. When you rebel against them, you rebel against God Himself (Romans 13:1-3).
When authorities conflict with God’s Word, you must obey God. When ordered to no longer preach about Christ, Peter responded: “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29).
Pray for those in authority. “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Respect the authority set in the church. Guidelines for functioning under authority in the church are given in 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-12; and Hebrews 13:17. If you cannot respect the leadership in a church because of their ungodly conduct, find a new church!
Respect the structure of authority set in the home. A godly husband is to be the head of the house, the wife is to follow his lead, and children are to be obedient. The authority in the home is to be loving and kind, not demanding and harsh.
Lovingly exercise authority over those for whom you are responsible. As a parent, spouse, pastor, employer, or public servant, you are to loving exercise our authority in a Christ-like attitude: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21) .
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT AUTHORITY:
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-3)
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. (1 Peter 2:13-15)
(See also “Submission” in this database.)
