Failing to Respect Authority

This is the article I wrote for the Peacemaker Ministries emagazine “PeaceMeal” that will be published tomorrow. If you don’t subscribe yet, I encourage you to do so! Cutie-bear Fred Barthel sends it out every week and it’s a blessing. Hope you enjoy …

Failing to Respect Authority

Another common source of conflict is the abuse of or rebellion against the authority God has established in the church, the government, the family, and the workplace. All legitimate authority has been established by God, primarily for the purpose of maintaining peace and order (Rom. 13:1-7). He has given those in authority strict commands not to take advantage of their positions, but rather to diligently serve and look out for the well being of those whom they are called to lead (Mark 10:42-45; cf. Eph. 5:25-33; 6:4, 9; 1 Peter 3:7; 5:1-3). When leaders misuse their authority and use it for their own ends, God himself will eventually hold them accountable for that sin (Deut. 24:15; Job 31:13-14; Jer. 22:13; Mal. 3:5; Col. 4:1; James 5:4).

At the same time, God commands those under authority to submit to those over them, both for his sake and for their own good (Eph. 5:21-24; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 6:1-2; Titus 2:9-10; Heb. 13:17) … Respect for authority is so important that Jesus commands us to submit to those over us, even when they behave hypocritically or harshly (Matt. 23:1-3; 1 Peter 2:13-3:6). In other words, God calls us to respect the positions of those in authority even when their personalities leave much to be desired.

(Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) pp. 123-124.)

Food for Thought

One of the most common questions I am asked when I teach on biblical peacemaking is this: “But how can I submit when I know he is wrong?”

It doesn’t matter whether it relates to employment, family, or church disputes; submitting to authority is hard.

Yet I’ve seen it done in my church, home, and mediation practice: Christians in conflict can remember the great and precious promises of God and, by faith, choose to obey God especially when it hurts and doesn’t make any sense from a worldly perspective. Rather than rebelling and then trying to justify their rebellion by saying, “He doesn’t deserve it!” or “I’d submit if he were a better leader!” these fellow pilgrims are making a conscious decision to remember that no delegated authority is perfect.

It is never a question of if our leaders will make a mistake or an unwise decision; it is only a matter of when.

Yes, if your leader is ordering or compelling you to sin, it is not only permissible, but it is required that you not obey (cf. Exodus 1:15-2:10, 1 Kings 18:4, Daniel 3, Matthew 2:13-18 & 23:1-3). And if we are not being commanded to sin ourselves, but the leader persistently abuses his authority or neglects his responsibilities, we are called to gently and lovingly confront such sinful behavior.

But if we simply disagree with our leader, we are called to practice biblical peacemaking–especially by utilizing a biblical and respectful appeal (Ephesians 4:15, Philippians 2; and remember Abigail!)–and then submit (1 Sam. 25; Esther; Eccl. 8:2-6; Dan. 1:8-16; Prov. 22:11; 1 Pet. 2:13-21).

Is submitting sometimes painful? Of course. But most conflicts we experience with our leaders are not over commandments to sin. They usually arise over disagreements as to what is best, most efficient, wise, or loving (i.e., wisdom issues).

Ultimately, we must remember that our leaders have the right to be wrong.

They are just as in need of grace as we are. And God is a gracious God!

— Tara Barthel, Billings, MT: Tara is a former director at Peacemaker Ministries and co-author of Peacemaking Women.