Authority and Obedience Pitfalls by Robert Ricciardelli

Some people have all the authority while others are told they must obey those in authority. This separation can cause authoritative behavior on the one side and doormat behavior on the other. It will most often pervert authority as well as obedience. A person with great authority who has nobody to be obedient to is in great spiritual danger. A very obedient person who lives with no authority can equally be in danger.

Jesus spoke with great authority, was given all authority, and yet his whole life was in complete obedience to his Father. Jesus said to his Father, “Let your will be done and not my own.” As we understand our role as sons and daughters of God, we must understand that we have been given authority to lead our lives while also submitting to the Author of all authority. Let us ask ourselves: Do we live our authority in obedience and do we live our obedience with authority? Are we being manipulated and controlled in our lives, or are we listening to the voice of God within us, and leading our life with authority, freedom, and truth?