Respect Spiritual Authority
Respect Spiritual Authority
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves
(Jude 1:8-10).
There’re people who find it pleasurable to criticize ministers of the Gospel, and take every opportunity to speak against them. Sometimes sitting in front of their TV sets, they make all kinds of spiteful insinuations against God’s ministers. As a child of God, you must not engage in such things.
Our opening scripture teaches us to be careful about spiritual authority. It tells us that stubborn carnal people talk against spiritual authority. This is contradistinguished with the attitude of Michael the arch angel, who with all his power and glory, when he disputed with Satan, an evil personality, over the body of Moses, wouldn’t dare bring an accusation against Satan. This was because Satan had Adamic authority which is higher than angelic authority.
Michael the arch angel, in recognition of the superior Adamic authority which Satan got from Adam didn’t charge him recklessly. So what did Michael do? He said,” the Lord rebuke thee.”He had to speak in the name of the Lord, a higher authority. This example of Michael is very instructive and ought to guide our attitude towards those in spiritual authority over us.
This is the reason I’ve often advised believers to show respect for spiritual authority, to stay away from people who say negative things about men of God. That’s the way I have lived. I don’t speak against ministers of God, even when some speak evil against me or our ministry. If you’ll refrain from talking negatively against God’s ministers the Lord will promote you, but to disdain the authority of God in their lives is to attract curses.
Prayer
I Thank you Lord for showing me the way of life. There’s nothing to be compared with your wisdom, I live safe and secure within the walls of your wisdom now and evermore in Jesus, Name.
Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Numbers 26:9-10
