10. Spiritual Authority and Submission

In chapter one we saw, that God gave authority to Adam to reign over the earth, and Satan, although he was expelled from the Presence of God in heaven (Ez.28:17), realised, that here on earth he again is confronted with God Most High, as Adam and Eve were created in the image of God (Gen.1:27), which means, that they had the character of God and were like Him (v. 26); and in the Name of the Lord they ruled in authority over the earth.

But we know, that they fell into disobedience towards God and believed the lies of Satan, and listened to him. So the couple lost their authority over the earth and handed it over to the devil, and they (and the whole human race  -  Gen.5:3) became his slaves. Let’s have a look now at what the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Ephese (Eph.2:1-3) to confirm this statement: And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience; among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind….. But, praises to the Lord Jesus, He came to destroy the works of the devil (1John 3:8) and to set us free!

 

 

Let’s have a look at the Biblical view of authority and of submission:

 

Authority:             

       power, right to enforce obedience

       delegated power

 

Submission:             

       to yield to power or authority

       to accept authority without resistance

       must be an attitude of heart and unconditional

 

Authority and submission are a part of our lives, and if we do not understand these two words, we often fail, disobey and suffer defeat.

 

Human authority: is for believers and unbelievers;

Spiritual authority: for believers only.

 

Only when we learn how to submit we can ever exercise authority:

    Luke 7:8  -  For indeed, I am a man under authority  -  basis for true authority is submission;

    All authority ultimately stems from God Himself; Rom.13:1-5     For there is no authority, except from God.

 

Illustrations of authority and submission:

       enforced:              

- Police: Rom.13:2-4

- Army : Matt.8 :9

- Parents : Eph.6:1-3

       invited:

- Church: 1Tim.5:17

 

All are under God’s authority  -  God is the ultimate authority :

•

Ex.20:1-3

I am…..                                   

•

Is.45:5-7

I am…..                                   

•

Is.45:9

…..his Maker…..                           

•

Jas.4:7

Submit therefore to God. Resist…..        

•

Deut.5:7

You shall have no other gods…..           

•

1Sam.15:22

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…..

•

Deut.5:29

…..and keep My commands always…..         

•

Deut.7:9-16

…..keep…..obey…..                         

 

 

 

A. Submit to leadership

 

       God works through delegated levels of authority.

 

       Our attitude towards those whom God sets in delegated authority over us is the outward and visible expression of our attitude towards God Himself:

Heb.13:7

 

1Thess.5:12

…..have charge over you…..   

1Tim.5:17

…..elders who rule over you…..

 

       Christian leaders do not force their authority  -  voluntary submission.

 

       We are responsible for our own decisions ( free will agents ). God honours and does not overrule, e.g. decision for or against Christ.

 

       Our authority is maintained by means of submission to His imperial authority, e.g. 2Tim.3:16-17  -  God establishes His authority through His Word.

 

       God delegated authority to us is to rule; it was part of God’s purpose for existence of man on this planet  -  Gen.1:26 …..let them rule over…..

 

       Authority symbolized by the tree of knowledge of good and evil  -   Gen.2:15-17 …..the Lord commanded man…..

 

       Man lost it to Satan:

Gen.3:1-6

…..she took from its fruit…..   

Gen.3:17-19 

-  results of Adam’s rebellion.

 

 

B. Jesus restored authority of man over earth and enemy

 

•

Matth.28:18

- All authority has been given to Me…..

•

Heb. 2:14

- …..that through death He might render
       powerless him, who had the power of  death…..

•

Col.2:15

- When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities…..

•

Col.1:13

- For He delivered us from…..

 

We are to take it up again !!!

 

 

C. Our whole existence involves the conflict of authority

 

       Eph.6:12  -  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities.....

       To function we must understand authority. It is a good thing, but it can be abused.

       Why do we not like it? Because of rebellion in our sinful nature. We must understand and submit to the right authority, e.g. in Europe, if a girl submits to authority of feeling, she marries probably the wrong guy.

 

 

The benefits of submitting to authority (if authority is exercised rightly, e.g. by a father):

 

Is.9:6-7

…..peace

Rom.14:17

…..righteousness and peace…..

Eph.6:3

…..long life…..

Deut.7:9-16

…..keeping covenant…..lovingkindness….

 

 

    ....love…..blessing…..health…..healing…..victory…..

 

 

In order to function properly as Kingdom citizens, we need to identify the correct authorities and submit to them, as well as exercise correct authority:

Deut.7:11  -  Therefore, you shall keep the commandment and the statutes and the judgments, which I am commanding you today, to do them.