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TITLE: AUTHORITY, OBEDIENCE AND SUBMISSION 5/26/16 By Rachel Jamerson 05/26/16 |
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(All such authority begins with God, for there is no authority except from God)
OBEY/OBEDIENCE = hupakoe, which means to listen to or to harken to.
SUBMISSION =hupotasso means to get under and lift up, or to put in order.
A great deal of pain and suffering has resulted from an improper understanding of the terms authority, obedience and submission. There is much confusion due to improper interpretation of scripture, using natural instead of supernatural understanding.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Women are instructed by Christian leaders, to submit to the demands of their husbands without question. While very little – if any – instruction is given to the husbands as to the proper exercise of their authority. Authority/responsibility was assigned by God – it was not the birthright of the male due to his superiority to the female. In God’s eyes all are of equal value.
Galatians 3:27-28 (KJV) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Often immature and/or unlearned Christian leaders twist the scriptures to suit their own sinful nature. The need for power, control and prominence, overpower the urging of the Holy Spirit when exercising male authority in the home and sometimes in the church. Women in turn whether learned or unlearned often revert to their natural instincts of rebellion against what they see as demeaning and grossly unfair. The end result is spiritual warfare gaining entry through doorways opened by both parties.
How many abusive situations have developed due this scenario? Resulting in disunity in churches, divorces and divided homes? How many women have suffered from depression due to the suppression of their individuality? How many men and women have resorted to affairs in a desperate search for what they already had? How many men have lost their ability to lead as a result of the bitterness of their wives – which they
themselves created?
Sadly the truth concerning this devastating scenario is seldom found in the instruction of Christian leaders. Instead it is those who turn to God in their desperation and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit that discover this vital truth.
Husbands and wives as well as all believers are instructed by scripture to dwell together in love. The simple definition of love is; putting the needs of another above your own.
Ephesians 5:28-29 (KJV) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Ephesians 5:2 (KJV) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Husbands may/should preside over the affairs of their wives – not by force but according to the knowledge of truth. While all women have the opportunity to acquire Godly knowledge the man is the one God holds responsible for the spiritual instruction of his family.
1 Peter 3:7 (KJV) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
The only authority that exists is that of God. He has chosen to authorize certain individuals to perform certain acts with- in a particular area. (sphere) He has never authorized anyone to pass judgement on another individual. Even Jesus at His first coming, did not judge. He simply gave out the truth it was up to the individual to believe or not believe it. At the end of the age judgement will be the reward for not believing and eternal life for those who did.
When a person placed in a position of leadership views themselves as having the authority to pass judgement on those he is leading, the result is rebellion. Forceful or critical use of authority creates resentment. The only authority is God’s Word and it must be received directly from God through the Holy Spirit to the individual - to be authentic. It is up to the individual whether or not they respond to authentic authority. However, there are consequences for rebellion as well as misuse of power.
Preachers, Pastors, Evangelists, or other Christian leaders may/should preach (proclaim) the Word of God to individuals - but they have no authority to require a specific response. Even if they could it would not be acceptable to God. If leaders control the people through their personal judgements, the result will be people who are following the leader instead of following God. This in itself is one of the most effective tools of Satan for on the one hand he will take the individual out from under the sound of the truth, or cause him to give his allegiance to a man instead of God. Both spell disaster for the individual.
1 Peter 5:1-4 (KJV) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
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