Will your attitude toward authority keep you out of the Kingdom? Or, will it gain you a reward for eternity?
How do you react when you hear the word authority? Do you feel a surge of resentment at the thought of someone being over you, or do you experience a sense of excitement about being in control? Unfortunately, the record of human history swings between these two extremes—the lust for and abuse of authority, or resentment and rebellion against authority. What is noticeably absent in mankind’s relationship to power is respect for authority as well as its wise use.
Most people’s attitude toward authority is a learned behavior—the result of a lifetime of personal, social, cultural and religious experiences. We may have learned at home, school or church to respect those in authority. But we may instead have absorbed at home or from peers the tendency to disrespect or even defy authority. The misuse or abuse of power by those in authority over us may have contributed to our resentment or distrust of authority. Our culture also molded our attitude towards authority. In America and other western nations, it is considered “cool” to stand out from the crowd—to challenge authority, be your own person and do your own thing, while in many other cultures it is considered extremely bad taste to deliberately flaunt the authority of accepted practices and to stand out from society.
But just what is your personal attitude towards authority? How did it develop? Does your attitude reflect the extremes of the world—a lust for power, or resentment and rebellion against authority? Is your attitude in harmony with, or in conflict with, the approach to authority God has outlined in the Scriptures? What should our attitude be towards those in authority? And why is this subject so important to Christians?
Importance of Attitude
Christians have been called for an incredible purpose. We are being prepared to rule as kings and priests with Jesus Christ when He returns (Revelation 1:4–6; 5:10). Those who qualify for positions in the government of God will be given the opportunity to exercise authority over cities and nations (Daniel 7:27; Matthew 19:28; Luke 19:17–19; Revelation 11:15–18). However, before we can be given such far-reaching authority, we must first learn to come under authority—to properly respect and work smoothly with and under authority— following the example of Jesus Christ.
We are told that Jesus “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted him” (Philippians 2:8–9). To walk in Christ’s footsteps we need to examine our attitudes in light of the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 11:27–32) to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). We must identify and eliminate worldly attitudes toward authority and instead develop the mind of Jesus Christ. For God is testing those He is calling now, to see in a variety of situations what our attitude towards authority will be. A major goal of our Christian life is to develop a Godly approach to authority.
The World And Authority
But just what kinds of attitudes are unacceptable to God? Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden because they didn’t take God’s authority seriously. They ate from a tree that He had forbidden (Genesis 3:1–6). The Israelites knew God gave Moses the power and authority to deliver them from Egypt, yet they griped, complained and rebelled against his leadership on numerous occasions—bringing punishment upon themselves (Exodus 16:2; Numbers 14:1–4, 9, 26–34). At one point 250 prominent men of Israel openly challenged Moses’ authority asserting “you take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy” (Numbers 16:1–3). Even Moses’ own brother and sister resented the authority God had invested in Moses (Numbers 12), yet God effectively backed up that authority in every situation. As shown by these accounts, those close to a position of power sometimes take for granted the person God has put in that position, thus making a costly mistake.
Leaders can also get carried away with their position and misuse their authority. Saul, selected by God to be the first king of Israel, handled rebellious subjects with patience (1 Samuel 10:25–27), yet later became impatient and felt compelled to offer a sacrifice—something only the priests were to do—thus ignoring God’s commands (1 Samuel 13). He took authority that was not his. Saul also yielded to the suggestions of his subjects instead of following God’s instructions to Samuel—again taking God’s authority lightly (1 Samuel 15). These rash and presumptuous acts cost Saul his throne.
Jesus also dealt with questions about His authority. After He drove the moneychangers out of the temple, the chief priests and elders asked Him: “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:12–23) These religious leaders did not want to admit where Jesus got His authority—in spite of His miracles and scriptural message. Their resentment and animosity to Christ’s authority culminated in the crucifixion of the Savior of mankind.
The Apostle Paul had to deal with attacks on his God-given authority by members of congregations (1 Corinthians 9:1–18). Peter states that one sign of false teachers is that they are presumptuous, self-willed and despise authority (2 Peter 2:9–10). Their influence will tempt other believers to follow their dangerous ways. Paul warned that in the last days there would be a breakdown of respect for authority (2 Timothy 3:1–5). In essence, he echoes the prophet Isaiah who spoke of a time when children would become oppressors and women would want to usurp others’ authority—contrary to God’s instruction for the use of authority in society (Isaiah 3:4, 12).
It is sobering to see these very things coming to pass today! With the breakdown of the family, children are left to themselves and not taught to respect authority. Women’s “liberation” has undermined men’s authority to lead in the home. Too often, men ignore God’s commands to provide for and guide the family. Cities face a growing defiance of law and order. Self-seeking politicians undermine respect for elected officials’ authority. This steady erosion of authority and respect for authority has demeaned the importance of following and promoted a “widespread resistance to being led at all” (Leading Change, O’Toole, p.4–5, 1995). Today, each is his own authority, convinced that nobody can tell us what to do and “We, all of us, will rule ourselves” (Ibid.). This same attitude prevailed during one of the most chaotic periods in the history of ancient Israel—the time of the Judges. The Bible records, “In those days there was no king [strong central authority] in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Such disregard for authority did not work then and works no better today!
The Source of Resentment
Why are these resentful and rebellious attitudes so prevalent? Where do they come from? Why do we find ourselves pulled in these directions? The Bible reveals the reason. Satan is described as the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) who influences us by projecting his thoughts and attitudes into our minds (Ephesians 2:2). He does this invisibly, much like radio or television stations broadcast through the air. Our challenge as Christians is to examine the thoughts that enter our minds and discard the ones that come from his direction (I John 4:1). Satan’s attitude toward authority is revealed as “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit [enthroned] on the mount of the congregation…I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13–14). This presumptuous spirit being actually led a rebellion of one third of the angels against God (Revelation 12:3–4).
With the clues provided in the Scriptures it is relatively easy to look back over the centuries of human history and identify the attitudes that have led countless individuals to ruin. Satan has deceived the entire world to believe that rebelling against authority—especially the authority of Scripture—the instructions of Almighty God to mankind— will lead to freedom and happiness. The unfortunate lesson of history— that all too many have had to learn the hard way—is that this is merely a satanic deception, a lie! This is why God admonishes us to come out of this world and leave these satanic attitudes toward authority behind (2 Corinthians 6:11–18).
Christians and Authority
But how should a Christian view authority? How should a person striving to develop the mind of Christ view the Scriptures? How should authority be exercised in the home, in the Church, and in society? What kind of attitude toward authority is God looking for in future members of His family? Let’s notice what the Bible says about these issues.
Isaiah describes the attitude that God is looking for in future members of His family. The prophet was told: “But on this one will I look; on him who is poor [humble, teachable] and of a contrite spirit [repentant, willing to change, desiring to do better] and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2). God seeks individuals who respect the authority of the Scriptures and fear to disobey the instructions of Almighty God. David exhibits this attitude when he states “Oh, how I love your law… Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies… Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to may path” (Psalm 119:97, 98, 105). David respected the authority of God’s word. Because of this attitude, David became a man after God’s own heart who will rule the House of Israel in the Kingdom of God. Do we view God’s instructions the same way David did—or do we resent and resist following them?
Matthew records an attitude toward authority at which even Jesus marveled. When Christ offered to go and heal the servant of a Roman centurion, the soldier responded “only speak a word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one ‘Go’ and he goes; and to another ‘Come,’ and he comes” (Matthew 8:8–9). The centurion had a healthy respect for authority, and as a soldier he had learned to work smoothly under authority. To rule with Jesus Christ we must learn to work under His authority and under those He may place over us. Jesus also points out that those given authority must learn to use that authority to serve others—instead of serving oneself (Matthew 20:26–28).
We must learn to emulate Jesus Christ’s attitude toward authority, even under difficult circumstances. In submitting to death on the cross, to pay for the sins of mankind, Jesus stated to His Father; “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus did not seek to “do His own thing” (see John 5:30; 6:38). If we truly want to be His disciples and rule with Him in the Kingdom of God, we must be willing to deny ourselves and follow His example by accepting the authority of His teachings (Matthew 16:24–26). God worked with Abraham for 100 years, developing and refining his proper attitude toward authority. God chose to use Abraham because He had come to see that Abraham would “command his children and his household… that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness [obey the commandments—Psalm 119:172] and justice” (Genesis 18:19). God will work with us in the same way to develop this same respect for His law and His authority—if we respond as Abraham did.
Many passages of Scripture spell out the manner in which God desires authority to be used in society. God is particularly concerned about the family, which is the fundamental building block of any stable society. Attitudes towards authority learned in the home eventually permeate every social organization. The Bible states that God wants men to be the head of the household and to love, guide and provide for their wife and children as Christ does as head of the Church. A man cannot just do his own thing—he must function under the authority of Jesus Christ. Married women must learn to function under their husband’s authority. Children must be taught to respect their parents and older members of society. Employees must be respectful of and subject to their employers (even difficult ones!), and employers must treat their employees with respect and kindness. These fundamental attitudes towards authority are discussed in Ephesians 5 and 6 and in 1 Peter 2 and 3.
In spite of the various notions today that the Church is just a spiritual organism without any definite structure, the Scriptures provide a different picture. There is both organization and authority in the Church that Jesus Christ founded. Paul mentions that he left Titus in Crete to appoint elders and set things in order (Titus 1:5). We are told of various offices or levels of responsibility in the church—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers—appointed to do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11–12). Those appointed to positions of leadership are to use their authority with love, gentleness, yet with firmness when necessary (2 Timothy 4:1–2; 2 Peter 5:1–4). They cannot be quick-tempered or self-willed, but must faithfully teach what they have been taught (Titus 1:6–9). Those who clearly fulfill their responsibilities are to be respected and esteemed (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13). This is how God wants His family to function. If we learn to function within the guidelines of Godly authority, we will then be given the opportunity to teach others these same principles in the Kingdom of God.
The Vital Key
The big question is: how do we develop a right attitude toward authority? How do we get rid of the wrong attitudes we have picked up from the world? The key is learning to use God’s Spirit and the understanding and power it places at our disposal. We must realize that many of our opinions about, and reactions to, authority are products of our carnal human nature, which has been molded by the influences of Satan’s world, resentful of doing things God’s way (Romans 8:7). As we come to understand this, we must repent of and begin to overcome our resentment and rebellion against God’s instructions (Acts 2:36–38). We must get rid of our human pride (the desire to do things our way) and begin to submit to God and do things His way—as outlined in Scripture. We must resist Satan’s promptings to rebel against what God plainly reveals is His will (James 4:7–8). This is what it means to fear God and to respect the authority of His word.
The world has been deceived to think that authority is bad, that organization is evil and that submitting to authority deprives us of being free to be ourselves and be happy. The truth is just the opposite. Authority, when wisely used and properly respected, is a blessing. Submitting to God and learning to do things His way is what actually leads to real freedom and lasting happiness. If we can learn this vital lesson, and develop the attitude toward authority that God is looking for, our reward will be to rule with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God. This is a goal worth striving for!