Bitter Lessons From The Frontlines 5
This post may or may not be a bitter lesson depending on what submission and obedience to authority means to you. More than likely the devil has made sure that you have negative memories and triggers from the past that tighten your jaw when someone brings up this subject. In so doing Satan has guaranteed that you will disqualify yourself from ever flowing in your own GOD-appointed authority.
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An important prerequisite for promotion from GOD is an attitude of submission and obedience to authority. The LORD will not place someone in authority that undermines authority. Satan knows this first hand:
“How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, ‘I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of GOD: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the Most High.’ Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell, to the sides of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:12-15, KJV) Lucifer had great, ungodly aspirations to challenge the supremacy of the Almighty and where did he end up…cast down to the Earth and ruler of the infernal regions!
And here’s another bitter pill for you to swallow: GOD expects you to submit and obey His delegated authority whether they behave righteously or not. “No, that couldn’t be right! The LORD would never expect that!” That may be your opinion, but that’s not what the Bible teaches.
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers (*authorities). For there is no power but of GOD: the powers that be are ordained of GOD. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of GOD: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” (Romans 13:1 &2, KJV)
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“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But GOD is the Judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm 75:6 &7, KJV)
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“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of GOD: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation…Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account , that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:7 &17, KJV) Now take a moment to think about these Scripture verses before reading on. Did you read in any of the verses the phrase, “Submit and obey only if they’re righteous”?
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Consider for a moment the relationship between Saul and David. Saul was on the decline while David was ascending, and Saul was envious. He repeatedly lashed out at David, hunted David, and tried to kill David. On one occasion Saul was in a vulnerable position, in a cave defecating: “And the men of David said unto him, ‘Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, ‘Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee.’ ’ Then David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. And he said unto his men, ‘The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.’ ” These words from David stopped his men from hurting Saul and he left the cave unaware of what had almost happened to him.
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Some of you may believe that David should have taken advantage of the “GOD given opportunity” to avenge himself. After all, Saul was his tormentor and he was destined to take Saul’s kingdom anyway, right? WRONG! None of us has the right to destroy or retaliate against GOD’S delegated authority in word or deed if we want to remain right with GOD. This includes parents, an employer, a wayward spouse, or a spiritual or political leader. Every position or office has within it a measure of GOD given authority. METING OUT JUDGMENT AND PUNISHMENT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LORD ALONE. No believer is righteous enough to take on this role themselves. And remember that slander, false accusation, and gossip are non-physical ways to ‘touch’ the anointed of GOD and introduce the wrath of GOD into your life!
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David’s repentant attitude and his understanding of the importance of submission and obedience to authority even if the one holding the position is wrong, was the reason he was anointed three (3) times (1 Samuel 16:1, 12, &13; 2 Samuel 2:4; and 2 Samuel 5:3) to be the king of Israel!
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Many need healing from the hurt and negative emotions caused by someone who had authority over us and mistreated us. GOD understands how damaging the results of these experiences are to our relationship with Him, us, and others. An unrighteous attitude regarding authority causes us to mismanage our authority as offspring, siblings, employees, employers, spouses, parents, church members, spiritual or civic leaders, citizens, and etcetera. Because submission and obedience to authority is an outstanding issue in our lives, the accuser of the brethren repeatedly uses it as a point of entrance for his demons into our endeavors.
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Do yourself a favor and admit that this is a problem and that you need help to be healed and freed from it. This is the only way to righteously occupy your place in the Body of CHRIST and the kingdom of GOD.
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DECLARE: “LORD JESUS I admit that the problem I have with submitting to and obeying authority has been a part of me for much of my life. I confess that this attitude has caused loss when I knew Your desire was to promote and bless me. I declare that I want complete healing and freedom from this sickness of soul and spirit. Lead me LORD. Tell me what You would have me do and I will obey. Amen.”