A Rebellious Spirit by David Jeremiah

Tuesday, July 11

A Rebellious Spirit 

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 
Romans 13:2 

Recommended Reading Romans 13:1-7

A popular mindset in our culture is to rebel against authority. We love feeling autonomous, independent, stubborn, and in control. We dislike anyone telling us what to do. But remember what Samuel told King Saul: “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (1 Samuel 15:23).

According to the Bible, God ordained authority to maintain order in the world, the nation, and the home. That’s why Romans 13 tells us to obey those in authority over us. Being ready to carry out the will of God sometimes means being ready to carry out the will of someone over us—like a child wisely obeying a parent. The exception comes when the authority tells us to do something contrary to the will of God, and then we must say, like Peter, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Has someone in authority over you—a parent, a boss, a public official—told you to act in a certain way? Wisdom listens, submits, and seeks God’s will with humility. Don’t let a rebellious spirit overtake your heart.

The modern world detests authority but worships relevance. Our Christian conviction is that the Bible has both authority and relevance.
John Stott