Scoffing at Authority

“He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. Those people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling.” 2 Peter 2:10,11 NLT

Opinions are too highly esteemed. We grumble and disrespect authority. We share our views of those over us instead of praying for them; we mock and despise them if we disagree with their decisions. Do we understand the power we are wielding?

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21 NLT

I have been there–cynical, critical, grumbling ALL the time. I never changed anyone or any situation by doing so–except for myself and my relationships. The more negative I became, the more life became sour. It was a downward death spiral–as a Christian! Imagine the value I had and the opportunity to sow into others, but because of my attitude, it never happened! Only in the last five or six years did I realize how destructive it was to my life and others. Praise God for opening my eyes to the impact of the words I choose! However, my words come from a deeper root for truly out of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Jesus said He has many things to say, but He only says what He hears the Father saying and only does what He sees the Father doing.

Yet, we speak our minds–causing disunity, division, and disharmony. With our tongues, we praise God and grumble against our brothers and sisters. Division limits God to a great extent because sin and division cut us off from God’s influence. In fact, pride is a key player, and we know God opposes the proud.

I want to encourage all of us to pray for one another. Who is in authority over you? Pray for them: pastors, employers, supervisors, CEOs, government officials–elected and appointed, judges, police, firefighters.

Further, what industries are you involved in? Are there professionals or practices that are not, right? Pray for them, ask for opportunities to show God’s love to all and wisdom in what to say or not say.

Prayer

Dear God, we repent for thinking, speaking, mocking, and scoffing towards those who sit over us. We ask that you open our eyes where we are blind to our own ways of thinking to despise those in authority. We thank you for placing people over us in church, in government, and at work. We thank you for teaching us to pray boldly for them. We pray that our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, would grow in wisdom and courage to do what is right. Raise bold Christians who will walk with him and give him good counsel on the right path to walk—people who will stand for what is right and against wrongdoing without condemning. Raise godly lawyers, accountants, and politicians who will speak life and contend for Your ways. Teach us to pray fervent, effective prayers for authority over us. In the name of our Lord Jesus, Amen.