Storm Chasers: Authority
We’ve all been there – in the break room when someone was mumbling under their breath about the boss, or out for coffee with a friend who was laughing off an unpaid parking ticket, or at the playground when a kid talked back to his parent – but what did you think when it happened? Did you shrug it off as normal? Or did you recognize that it wasn’t right?
In my last post I discussed how our enemy – Satan – roams around looking for an opportunity to gain entrance into our lives and that our actions, or inactions, are often what allow him to bring storms into our lives. Now I want to share the most powerful key to preventing storms in our lives – respecting and honoring authority.
Most believers can discern that they’ve sinned against God, but they fail to recognize when they’ve sinned against people, the relationships, or the authorities in their lives. And there it is – the opportunity Satan was looking for to bring the storms into your life.
The culture tells us that we get to judge whether or not a person is worthy of honor and respect, but the Bible says there is no authority except that which God has established. What does that mean? It means we don’t get to choose. We are to honor and respect those in authority whether we like them or not and whether we agree with them or not.
No example shows us this better than that of David and Saul. Remember that Saul wanted David dead. Yet we read that when David had an opportunity to kill Saul, he was conscience-stricken. Yes, he knew that Saul was trying to kill him, but he also knew that Saul was God’s anointed. He still respected the position and the authority. David knew it was not his place to deal with Saul – it was God’s place.
Not one of us is outside of authority. How you relate to the authorities God has placed over you speaks volumes about your character and your future.
Don’t help Satan discredit your employer, your pastor, your spouse,
a government official, or any other authority in your life. Instead, humble yourself and give them the honor and respect that is due them not because of who they are but because Jesus is your Lord.
Pray for those that have authority over you – leadership is a lot harder than you think it is. And realize that as you humble yourself to an authority, you are saying yes to God.
View The Rest Of This Series:
(1) Storm Chasers: Are You A Storm Chaser? // (Download)
(2) Storm Chasers: Defeat The Storm By Law // (Download)
(3) Storm Chasers: Authority // (Download)
authority
I know someone who has been publicly confirmed by God as being called to ministry by signs and wonders, and leaders calling them out for recognition and blessing. However, any church they have gone to refuses to disciple or work with them, wanting them to "jump hoops' not suitable to their call, even reacting rudely when they asked for mentoring, etc. I have personally seen supernatural miracles take place. One time when I was going to help them pray for someone's leg that was swollen and painful, the Lord said, "Sit back and watch ____ minister." As I obeyed, they prayed and I saw up close the leg shrink to normal size within 3 seconds right before my eyes. God has connected them with ministry oversees and people look to them for leadership which they are giving to them. There is a minister who has an online "church" and discipleship program who asked them to help in their ministry and who will eventually ordain them. What is it about some authorities who refuse to recognize other callings? Is it insecurity...error....jealousy....???? This person is humble, teachable, wanting and seeking mentoring, but is ostracized and rejected by most of the ones they seek to be joined with in church and ministry life. I wonder what you think God is saying. They remind me of a John the Baptist, authorized by God, but not acknowledged by only a few authorities, not the commonly thought ones they tried to put themselves under and been "kicked out" in one way or the other... I believe in what God is doing with them, but would like to know how you see it. And I actually have a former pastor who was much like this. Thanks.