By: Larry Payne
I. Manifestations of Rejecting Authority
A. Consequences of Rejecting Authority
“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (Proverbs 29:1)
The Lord has invested a potential in all of us. If we continue to reject the reproofs of authority, God warns that there will be irreparable damage to the potential of our lives.
Three Losses in Rebellion
Men do not realize the far reaching affects of sin. On three major occasions, King Saul rebelled against the Word of the Lord, and on each occasion, there was a specific consequence. He wanted sacrifice. He waited
on sacrifice, until he finally intruded into the priests office and offered sacrifice himself.
1. His children would lose the heritage they could have had
“And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
But now the kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.” (I Samuel 13:13-15)
One of the saddest things that could be said about anyone is “what they could have been.” When we rebel against the disciplines of the Lord, we fail to learn the spiritual insight and character which God intended. Thus, we are not able to pass these on to our children. We can only pass on to our heritage what we have. We really do reap what we sow in more ways that one. It is sad that Saul’s own loved ones would suffer later on in life. The scripture indicates in Exodus 20:5 “…visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation…”
2. His own ministry would suffer
“And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. (I Samuel 15:28)
The very lack of character and wisdom which we have due to rejecting authority will greatly diminish the potential which our own ministry could have had. We really suffer the most when we reject God’s authority. It is a possibility to loose the investment, talent or potential that God has given us. There is indeed a relationship between God’s blessings and your stewardship.
3. His physical life would be shortened
“Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.” (I Samuel 28:19)
The scripture teaches a direct relationship between obedience to God and a long healthy life. Time was running out for him and for his loved ones “…and thou mayest live long on earth.”(Eph.6:1-3)
B. Areas of Rebellion
1. Words
“Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul;
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (II Peter 2:10-12)
“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 8-10)
The tongue is a hard member to be trained. An insubordinate heart always expects authority to fall. (Ham) “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
For by the words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:34,37)
All rebellious ones have trouble with their mouths. We need restraint in our lives but what we really need is to be “inwardly restrained.” When a man controls his mouth and his speaking, he controls the whole man. A man can be turned about by his speaking of words. The correct knowledge of authority will seal mouths. It would be better for our tongues to “cleave to thereof of our mouth” (Psalms 137:6, Job 29:10, Ezekial 3:26) than to abuse authority with our speaking. Notice just a few persons who sinned (rebelled) with their mouth that we have talked about in these lessons! Eve, Ham, Miriam and Aaron, Korah, Dathan and Abiram.
Don’t allow yourself the luxury of criticizing others, especially those God has placed in authority over us. Can a fountain bring forth both bitter and sweet waters. Speaking inadvertently is largely responsible for breaking the unity of the church (James 3:11)
2. Reasons
“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:” (Romans 9:20-22)
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7)
Ham saw his father’s nakedness, so he had his reason or excuse to slander. Miriam was opposed to Moses’ marriage, so she had her reason to speak against Moses. Korah and his company had their reason to slander from their point of view. Dathan and Abiram seemed to have their reason. Reason is the first step of rebellion. All who really know and love God, obey Him without argument. Moses submitted. Jesus Christ never argued or vindicated Himself, He merely submitted and TRUSTED GOD.
3. Thoughts
“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” (II Corinthians 10:4-6)
The real battle we have with maintaining a holy, consecrated christian life is in our thought world. If we conquer our carnal nature, we must win the battle of the thought world. Don’t allow your thoughts to run wild. This suggests that man’s rebellion stems from and is in his thoughts. One who has not met authority often aspires to be God’s counselor. Wherever he does, his first thought is how to improve the situation there.
Paul – He was a clever, capable, educated and wise man. However, his road to Damascus was blocked. Many come to their Damascus Road in life, but their thoughts retain former roads.
King Saul – He was rejected not because he stole but because he spared. He made his own decision according to his own thinking. He gave his own private interpretation to God’s Words.
Nadab and Abihu – They thought such service was a good thing, though they neither spoke one word nor offered any reasons. Nevertheless, they acted independently and burned incense according to their own thinking.
The Lord is not looking at how fervently we preach, how well we teach or how willing we are to suffer for Him, as He is looking to see how obedient we are to Him. They did not always disobey or resist authority with quarrels and shoutings. They only quietly and softly dissented. There should not be a word of slander or an attitude of insubordination toward authority.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. If we continue to reject the reproofs of authority _____________________
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2. What are the three losses in rebellion
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
3. When we rebel against the disciplines of the Lord ______________________
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4. Write out Exodus 20:5 __________________________________________________
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5. It is possible to lose the _____________________, _________________ and
________________________ that God has given us.
6. Write out Ephesians 6:1-3 ______________________________________________
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7. What are the three areas of rebellion mentioned in the lesson?
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
8. Write out James 3:11 ___________________________________________________
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9. An insubordinate heart always expects __________________________________
10. What we really need is to be _____________________________ restrained.
11. What will a correct knowledge of authority do? ________________________
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12. Give an example of someone in the Bible that rebelled with their mouth.
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Explain how they did: _____________________________________________________
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13. Reason is the first __________________________ of _____________________
14. Write out Romans 8:7 __________________________________________________
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15. Where is the “real battle” of christian service and living fought?
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16. If we conquer our carnal nature we must win what battle? ______________
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Explain: __________________________________________________________________
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17. One who has not met authority often ___________________________________
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18. Give one example of one who rebelled in his thoughts: _________________
Explain: __________________________________________________________________
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19. The Lord is not looking at how ___________________________________ as He is looking to see how ________________________
20. Give your personal view of Romans 13:1 ________________________________
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(The above material was published by Word of Faith Ministries, Azusa, CA.)
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