“YOU AIN’T THE BOSS OF ME.” This was a popular saying among young people who expressed their rejection of a person’s authority or right to influence their lives or situation. This specific saying may have changed but the spirit of rebellion it represents remains the same (among the young and the old!). Many people think “authority” is a hindering or limiting force in their lives. On the contrary, having a godly (good and healthy) attitude towards authority in your life increases the potential of God in your life! Understanding and submitting to authority impacts your faith! See Matthew 8:5-13. The centurion understood the kingdom of God is structured around a “chain of authority/responsibility.” He was a man under authority and one who exercised authority over those he was responsible for. The centurions understanding and attitude of submission to the authority of Jesus’ Word (the word of God) qualified him for “great faith” and a miracle! A key to practical faith and direction is the ability to interpret what God is saying to us through our attitudes, reactions, and directions of those who are responsible for various areas of our lives.
SOME BASIC PURPOSES OF AUTHORITY.
1. Authority in our lives help us to grow in wisdom and character. Even Jesus as a young child who was about his Father’s business was subject to his parents authority( Luke 2:41-52) and he increased in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and man. God uses authority to help correct character deficiencies in our lives. Proverbs 22:15 says “Foolishness is found in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” The rod represents authority that is used to correct foolishness (character deficiencies) in a child’s life. God will deal with the authority in your life! Proverbs 21:1 says “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”
2. Another purpose of authority is to build us up and gain protection from destructive forces or temptations. God intended authority to be used to build up and not destroy! Listen to what the apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:8 – “For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:” Authority is like an “umbrella of protection,” to help protect us from temptations which are to strong for us to overcome. People (especially teenagers) often think the authority in our life is trying to keep us from having fun or punishing us when the true intent is to protect us!
3. A third purpose of authority is to help us receive clear direction for life decisions. God uses those he has placed over us to help give us guidance. Proverbs 23:19 says “Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.”
FOUR BASIC STRUCTURES OF AUTHORITY
1. Family. The first God ordained structure of authority is found in the family unit (God-Father-Mother-Children). See Colossians 3:20, Ephesians 6:1-3, Proverbs 6:20-21; 15:5; 30:17.
2. Church. The next vital God ordained structure of authority is found in the local church (Jesus-Pastor-church elders – church members). See 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Hebrews 13:7;17, 1 Peter 5:1-3.
3. Government. Another God ordained structure of authority is found in government (God-Naitonal leaders – local leaders – citizens). See 1 Peter 2:13-14, Romans 13:1-7.
REJECTION OF AUTHORITY
God is persistent in our character development! PLEASE BE FORE-WARNED:Rejection of one authority leads to subjection of another! I joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) when I was seventeen(17) years old! I must admit though that I did it partly out of rebellion to my parents authority. I wanted to be on my own and be my own man! Well, I only traded one authority for another! The rejection of my parents authority led to my subjection of the Marines authority. Clever me! Many who have rejected the authority of parents, church and the law have ended up in subjection to the authority of prison officials! Sometimes a young lady will get married only to escape the authority of her parents. She didn’t truly realize she would be coming under the authority of a husband(male) and the responsibility of a wife(female)!
Rejection of authority manifests in stubbornness! Stubbornness is a refusal to follow through on orders or wise counsel)! Rejection of authority is in reality the establishment of self-authority! Self-authority manifests in open rebellion. We give our own desires(will) equal voice with our parents or other God ordained authority. Satan (devil) is the prime example. See Isaiah 14:12-16. Self-authority(open rebellion) seeks rebel friendships! Self-authority yields relative standards. See Galatians 5:19-21. Teenagers often complain of not having enough freedom. Remember, more freedom(freedom of car use, girl-friend, boy-friend, go to that party, etc.) requires more responsibility!
CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTING AUTHORITY
The rejection of the reproofs or corrections of authority has consequences! God warns that there will be irreparable damage to the potential of our lives if we continue to reject the correction of authority! Proverbs 29:1 says “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” The way a teenager responds to his/her parents’ authority and how we respond to authority is an indicator of how they(we) will often respond to God’s authority! When we reject God’s authority our children can lose the heritage they could have had! See 1 Samuel 13:13-15. Another consequence is our own destiny (career, business, ministry) will suffer. See 1 Samuel 15:28. Rejection or dishonor of authority in our life can result in our physical life being shortened! Ephesians 6:1-3.
CONCLUSION
God has put authority in our life to help and protect us. Rejecting authority results in a lack of character and wisdom in our lives. This lack of wisdom and character due to rejection of authority greatly reduces the potential of God in our lives! My prayer is for you to always recognize God’s wisdom and direction through the authorities in your life. And that you will repent for the rejection of any authority or open rebellion.
The importance of subjection to authority cannot be understated, particularly in the Body of Christ. Thanks for making it so plain that anyone, at any age, in any station of life can understand it.
Thank you for an encouraging Word, I believe understanding authority in my life can make me a better person all around, a better mother, a better employee and most importantantly a better servant of God.
Thanks Bishop for the pratical word abou how authority can change my life and as I submit, accept and appreciate Gods correction Im more usable for God!