RELATING TO
AUTHORITY
BY:
Brian E.
Trenhaile
The Authority of God (Graduate Level)
Pacific Christian University
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 3
I. Properly Relating to God’s Authority............................................................................... 3
Communing with Authority ............................................................................................. 3
Submission and Consecration ......................................................................................... 3
Fear of the Lord ............................................................................................................ 5
Not Despising God’s Word ........................................................................................... 5
II. Properly Relating to Delegated Authority ........................................................................ 5
Jesus our Example ......................................................................................................... 6
Caring for those in Authority .......................................................................................... 6
Honoring Authority ........................................................................................................ 7
Trusting God not Necessarily the Authority ..................................................................... 7
III. Benefits of Properly Relating to Authority ....................................................................... 8
Provision ....................................................................................................................... 8
Power ........................................................................................................................... 8
Well Being ..................................................................................................................... 9
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................... 9
BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................................................................................... 10
In His infinite wisdom, God established authority. His very nature is that of authority, but He also chose to bless us through delegated authority. We vitally need to know how to properly relate to His awesome authority and to His delegated authorities. Abundant blessings flow from authority to those who act properly toward authority.
The Creator of the universe needs to be treated properly and with tremendous respect. Some aspects about how to properly relate to God’s authority follow.
Our core purpose is to be in intimate relationship with God (cf. Munroe, 109-123). We are in His will, when we are abiding in Him, and as a result, we experience His blessings. These blessings include prayers getting answered, the presence of His resources to produce fruit, and His covering of love and joy (cf. John 15:1-11 NASB). David said “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, I will say of the Lord He is my refuge and my fortress, in Him will I trust” (Psalm 91:1, 2). “The one who is under cover is the one who is under God’s authority” (Bevere, 4). “When David says, “I will live in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6), he is not saying he wants to get away from people, David is saying he yearns to be in God’s presence, where ever he is” (Lucado, 34).
Submission is an important part of relating to God’s authority. Jesus is our perfect example of submission. During His earthly ministry Jesus said, “My will is to do the will of Him who sent me” (cf. John 6:39). He also said “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me” (cf. John 4:34). Jesus further said “because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.” (cf. John 5:30 AMP). In the garden just before He was crucified, He said to the Father “Not My will, but Your will be done” (cf. Luke 22:42).
Submission is something we need to do; it is not something God will impose on us against our will. The following quote illustrates this concept: “I’m convinced the more we yield to the Spirit of God and are taken over by Him, the more results we would see. Demons take people over against their will and manifest themselves through them, but the Spirit of God will not do that against your will” (Hagin, Understanding the Anointing, 105)
Besides being submitted, we also need to be totally devoted to God. In Romans 12 Paul talks about total consecration as a form of our worship.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
Paul also said to focus on Him constantly (cf. Colossians 3:1-2) and to bring every thought in subjection to Him (cf. II Corinthians 10:5). Consecrate all your thoughts to God.
The fear of the Lord and His direct authority are closely linked. When Abraham offered up Isaac the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Stop! Now I know you fear God, since you have not withheld your son … from Me.” Abraham passed the test, and God was so pleased that He promised to bless him, his descendants and the entire world through him (cf. Genesis 22).
But terrible consequences can follow if one does not properly respect God. One Old Testament example of the need to fear God is Nadab and Abihu, who improperly approached God and died (cf. Leviticus 10:1-3, Numbers 3:4, 26:61). Ananias and Sapphira are a sobering New Testament example of the need to fear the Lord (cf. Acts 5:1-11). Jesus said, “Don’t fear man, fear Him who is able to cast into hell” (cf. Luke 12:4-5).
The poetic Biblical books say “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (cf. Proverbs 9:10, Psalm 111:10). Isaiah the prophet said, “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure” (Isaiah 33:6 NIV).
Revering God’s word is a proper way of dealing with His authority. If we despise His word, we suffer greatly for it.[i] When David sinned with Bathsheba the Bible says he despised God’s word (cf. II Samuel 12:9). David suffered immensely for this sin; he lost his baby, went through a devastating revolt and had family problems that completely broke his heart. David also had multiple wives which God said was prohibited for Israel’s kings: “He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away” (Deuteronomy 17:17 NKJV). But at the end of his life David had repented of this practice, he would not cohabit with Abishag, the Shunammite, who was presented to him for this purpose. It was acceptable to men, but not to God, so David left her alone (cf. I Kings 1:1-4). Psalm 119 clearly indicates that, for David, esteeming God’s word was the norm. David was always growing in esteeming God’s word, which is the proper way to relate to God’s authority.
God also choses to work through delegated authority structures (cf. Yandian, 9-22). This is a big step of faith on His part, because His delegated authority has free will. Since His delegated authority often has imperfections, we especially need to know how to properly relate delegated authority. Our growth is one of the reasons that He allows these imperfections (cf. Bevere, 87-209). To create brokenness is another reason for imperfect leaders. God sovereignly chose Saul to create brokenness in David (cf. Edwards, 13). The following verses clearly show that God is the originator of delegated authority.
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor (Romans 13:1-7 NKJV, emphasis added).
Jesus responded properly in subjection to authority. As a youth he submitted to the authority of His father and mother (cf. Luke 4:51).
Jesus was also aware of where authority came from. He told Pilate “You would have no authority over me, unless it is given to you from above” (John 19:11 NASB). The Bible says, “He learned obedience from what He suffered” (cf. Hebrews 5:8).
Refreshment comes to authority when we care for them. Can you imagine one unarmed women stopping an army of four hundred angry warriors? That’s exactly what Abigail did. How did she do it? She did it by being concerned about the welfare of the one in authority.[ii] She tactfully and respectfully advised David, “You don’t want to spool your excellent track record of letting God avenge you?” She also said, “You will regret it if you do.” Furthermore she encouraged him saying, “You are God’s anointed king; we all know it will come to pass.” Additionally she also honored them with the provisions that they needed (cf. I Samuel 25).
We should look at protecting our authority rather than finding fault with them. Noah’s sons illustrate this concept. Ham shamed his father by reporting his drunken condition to his brothers. Conversely Shem and Japheth very respectfully covered their nude father. The first was cursed and the other two were blessed by their father (cf. Genesis 9).
“The moral failure of Noah became a test to his three sons, revealing the heart of each in turn. One was rebellious and foolish, and two were honorable and merciful. … Because they maintained a reverence for their father’s position, they protected his position and their hearts. Ham, however, mocked and discredited his father in a possible attempt to discredit his ability to rule. This provided Ham with an excuse to disobey his father when he so desired. This is true of anyone when insubordination dwells in his heart. By disqualifying authority, he feels released from submission. In his heart he casts off restraint.” (Bevere, 179-180).
We must always honor the office of someone in authority, regardless of their improper attitudes or the way that they treat us. Hannah honored Eli, even though he insulted her, as a result she received a blessing from him, through the office in which he stood (cf. I Samuel 1). Joseph and Daniel wisely treated heathen kings with respect and honor. They both were excellent in dealing with authority and as a result they were given great authority.
The way Sarah accepted Abraham’s authority is phenomenal. Twice, for fear of his life, Abraham pawned Sarah off to foreign kings. Even though he was wrong, she cooperated with her husband, but God protected her and had her husband sternly rebuked by these two kings (cf. Gen 12:11-20, Genesis 20). Despite the circumstances, Sarah obeyed her husband she trusted in God. The Bible says, “This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master” (I Peter 3:5, 6 NLT).
God has designed authority to be channels of tremendous blessings to us. For instance the moment we submit to Christ as Lord, we are covered by Him and along with Him come His authority. Some of the benefits from this covering are illustrated in the following verse: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (I Corinthians 1:30).
The Bible says, “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12: 31-32 NASB). When we first seek to establish God’s authority, He will provide for our provisions.
The centurion accurately described how we have authority. He said, “When we are under authority, we have authority” (cf. Matthew 8:9). Jesus said “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke 10:19 NIV). Jesus also said, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19 NASB). When we are under His authority, we have authority over the powers of darkness (cf. Hagin, The Believer’s Authority, 7-8, 22-25).
When the kingdom of God is mentioned in the gospels and epistles, it normally means the establishment of God’s authority or rule. It does not refer to some large track of land that is governed by a sovereign (cf. Ladd, 13-23). So Paul is referring to the former when he makes the following statement: “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17 NASB). So when God’s rule is established over our lives, we experience His covering which includes righteousness, peace and joy.
There are two types of authority, God’s direct authority and delegated authority. Delegated authority is often not perfect, but God works through it for various reasons.[iii]
Authority is like two sides of a coin. On one side are the benefits for the authority, which include respect and submission. On the other side are benefits for the subject. These include, among other things, protection and provision.
Bevere, John. Under Cover. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2001.
Edwards, Gene. Tale of Three Kings. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992.
Hagin, Kenneth. The Believers Authority. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Rhema Bible Church, Inc., 2005.
Hagin, Kenneth. Understanding the Anointing. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Rhema Bible Church, Inc., 2006.
Ladd, George. The Gospel of the Kingdom. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1978.
Lucado, Max. Grace for the Moment, Volume I. Nashville, Tennessee: J. Countryman Publishers, 2000.
Munroe, Myles. In Pursuit of Purpose. Shippensburg, Pennsylvania: Destiny Image Publishers, Inc., 1992.
Yandian, Bob. Decently & In Order. New Kensington, Pennsylvania: Whittaker House, 1987.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptural quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture references marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION, Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, by The Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture references marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org).
Scripture references marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Scripture references marked NLT are taken from the NEW LIVING TRANSLATION ®. NLT ®. Copyright © 1996, 2004 by the Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
[i] This is a very serious issue. In the Old Testament a person who despises God’s word is supposed to be cut off from His people (cf. Numbers 15:30, 31)
[ii] After fasting and prayer, Esther acted in a similar way to Abigail when she approached her authority (cf. Esther 7).
[iii] For instance God got glory through pharaoh, when He delivered the children of Israel. The whole world now knew about Jehovah because God subdued Egypt, the most powerful nation in the world at that time (Bevere, 94-95).