Romans 13:1 (NKJV) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
God is a God of order. Therefore, He has appointed governing authorities over us. For example, He has put in place authorities over every nation for law and order, the husband to take leadership in the household, a leader in the company, and last but not least, the Pastor for spiritual authority in the church.
We are all subject to the governing authorities appointed by God.Therefore, we should submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to kingsor governors, as those who are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
Galatians 6:7 (NKJV) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
The Bible is clear that we will reap what we sow. Therefore, we are accountable for the words that we speak. The Lord does not condone speaking evil of those whom He has placed in positions of authority, especially spiritual authority. God backs His servants 100%, so if we knowingly and intentionally say something about the leaders or anything that will bring about unrest in society, we will be held accountable for it.
Acts 23:5 (NKJV) Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
The Apostle Paul reminded us that it is improper to speak negatively or be rude to the leadership that God has put in place. God would deal with His servants Himself if they had sinned against Him. This is why Paul even apologised after he had realised that it was the High Priest he had spoken unkindly of.
1 Samuel 24:10 (NKJV) Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’
Similarly, King David also understood that nobody should touch God’s anointed, and the guilt and consequences that would follow. In fact, he even executed the messenger who claimed that he had killed Saul. David’s words “How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” (2 Samuel 1:15, NKJV) echoe God’s own words to Aaron and Miriam “Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” (Exodus 3:8b, NKJV).
We should watch our lips and refrain from speaking against those God has placed in positions of authority, whether secular or spiritual.
Sermon Series: Cell Group Campaign (Session 3)
不要毁谤权威
罗马书13:1 在上有权柄的，人人当顺服他，因为没有权柄不是出于神的。凡掌权的都是神所命的。
神是有秩序的神，所以祂为我们立了掌权的。例如，祂在每一个国家设立了法律和秩序的权威，丈夫在家庭中担任领袖，公司中有领袖，最后但并非最不重要的是，牧师在教会中担任属灵权威。
我们都要顺服神所设立的权柄。所以我们要为主的缘故，顺服人的一切条例，无论是君王，是省长，就是神所差来惩罚作恶的，称赞行善的。
加拉太书6:7 不要自欺，神是轻慢不得的;因为人种的是什么，收的也是什么。
圣经上说得很清楚，我们种的是什么，收的也是什么。因此，我们要对自己所说的话负责。主不会宽恕那些对祂安置在权威位置上的人尤其是属灵的权威说坏话的人。神100%支持祂的仆人，所以如果我们故意地说一些关于领袖的事情，或任何给社会带来不安宁的话，我们将为此负责。
使徒行传23:5 保罗说:“弟兄们，我不知道他是大祭司;因为经上记着说、不可毁谤你百姓的官长”。
使徒保罗提醒我们，对神所设立的领袖说负面或无礼的话是不恰当的。如果祂的仆人得罪了祂，神会亲自对付他们。这就是为什么保罗在意识到他说的是大祭司的坏话后，也立即道了歉。
撒母耳记上24:10 今日你亲眼看见在洞中，耶和华将你交在我手里；有人叫我杀你，我却爱惜你，说：“我不敢伸手害我的主，因为他是耶和华的受膏者”。
同样，大卫王也明白任何人都不应该触碰神的受膏者，以及随之而来的罪恶感和后果。事实上，他甚至处决了那个声称自己杀了扫罗的信使。大卫说:“你伸手杀害耶和华的受膏者，怎么不畏惧呢？(撒母耳记下1:15）。 神也对亚伦和米利暗说:“你们毁谤我的仆人摩西，为何不惧怕呢?”(出埃及记3:8b）。
我们应该注意自己的口舌，避免反对那些神所任命的权柄，无论是世俗的还是属灵的。
讲章系列: 细胞小组活动(第三部分)
Image Source：pixabay.com