Do We Need To Voluntarily Submit To Spiritual Authorities?
Question : Do you think that we need to submit to spiritual authorities voluntarily without questioning them if they are wrong?
Answer : Greetings in Jesus wonderful name! I believe Paul the apostle have clearly spoken about it in Heb 13:7-9, 17, " 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them...17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."
Obviously, we can see from the above verses that there is no compulsion or need to submit and obey to any spiritual authority unless we see the following qualifications in them which will be a seal of authentication of a genuine spiritual leader :
1) Should be able to speak the Word of God to our heart's need and feed us spiritually to help us grow in faith (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9).
2) Their faith should be noticed in the works they do and in the life they exhibit before you and others (Titus 1:6, 7-8; James 2:20, 22).
3) The believing faith and loud talk of the spiritual leader must also be reflected in the conduct of their walk too, I mean ask yourself this question, Is their life pointing me to the unchanging Jesus and challenges me to believe in the power of God and pursue intimate communion in my personal life (2 Cor 4:13; 1 Cor 11:1; 2:4-5)?
4) Are the spiritual leaders speaking healthy doctrines to build our soul spiritually or destroy it with unbelief in disguise of teaching us religious super-spirituality that concentrates in telling us right and wrong, things to eat and not to eat, whom to marry or not to marry, etc...which is of no spiritual profit? Unless our hearts are established in the grace of God in truth to draw us towards Jesus Christ to receive more and more of it, we cannot spiritually profit and live pleasing to God and Glorify Him in all things (John 1:16-17).
5) Finally make sure that these spiritual authorities of the 5-fold ministers whom you want to follow really are concerned over watching for your souls when you share your weaknesses and strength, and help you overcome your struggles with prayer of authority that breaks spiritual bondage and establishes you in the way of the Lord through edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Cor 14:3). Make sure that they don't bring fear of men to make you get caught in their slavish snare of religiosity or legalism (Prov 29:25), rather they must establish you in the fear of God and make you obey His Word as the supreme eternal authority over your life (Prov 8:13; 16:6; 23:17; Psa 25:14; Matt 24:35). You must be able to notice that they have a responsibility within them as a spiritual father who will give account for you one day in front of the Lord.
To such spiritual authority who qualify to these above points can be accepted as a father or mentor or coach who rule over you to train you spiritually and make you excel and grow to maturity and adulthood, be submissive to such men so that they will do their work joyfully. Do not cause problems for these men who you are under unnecessarily by the impulse of your fleshly thinking and doing, such thing will make them be filled with grief towards you and also would be unprofitable for you spiritually.
Much Blessings....
Answer : Greetings in Jesus wonderful name! I believe Paul the apostle have clearly spoken about it in Heb 13:7-9, 17, " 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them...17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."
Obviously, we can see from the above verses that there is no compulsion or need to submit and obey to any spiritual authority unless we see the following qualifications in them which will be a seal of authentication of a genuine spiritual leader :
1) Should be able to speak the Word of God to our heart's need and feed us spiritually to help us grow in faith (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9).
2) Their faith should be noticed in the works they do and in the life they exhibit before you and others (Titus 1:6, 7-8; James 2:20, 22).
3) The believing faith and loud talk of the spiritual leader must also be reflected in the conduct of their walk too, I mean ask yourself this question, Is their life pointing me to the unchanging Jesus and challenges me to believe in the power of God and pursue intimate communion in my personal life (2 Cor 4:13; 1 Cor 11:1; 2:4-5)?
4) Are the spiritual leaders speaking healthy doctrines to build our soul spiritually or destroy it with unbelief in disguise of teaching us religious super-spirituality that concentrates in telling us right and wrong, things to eat and not to eat, whom to marry or not to marry, etc...which is of no spiritual profit? Unless our hearts are established in the grace of God in truth to draw us towards Jesus Christ to receive more and more of it, we cannot spiritually profit and live pleasing to God and Glorify Him in all things (John 1:16-17).
5) Finally make sure that these spiritual authorities of the 5-fold ministers whom you want to follow really are concerned over watching for your souls when you share your weaknesses and strength, and help you overcome your struggles with prayer of authority that breaks spiritual bondage and establishes you in the way of the Lord through edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Cor 14:3). Make sure that they don't bring fear of men to make you get caught in their slavish snare of religiosity or legalism (Prov 29:25), rather they must establish you in the fear of God and make you obey His Word as the supreme eternal authority over your life (Prov 8:13; 16:6; 23:17; Psa 25:14; Matt 24:35). You must be able to notice that they have a responsibility within them as a spiritual father who will give account for you one day in front of the Lord.
To such spiritual authority who qualify to these above points can be accepted as a father or mentor or coach who rule over you to train you spiritually and make you excel and grow to maturity and adulthood, be submissive to such men so that they will do their work joyfully. Do not cause problems for these men who you are under unnecessarily by the impulse of your fleshly thinking and doing, such thing will make them be filled with grief towards you and also would be unprofitable for you spiritually.
Much Blessings....
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