Have You Ever Questioned Authority?

I have a friend who is very vocal about her disgust and distrust of our current government. In the past, I have worked with people who argued with every decision made in the workplace and never had anything good to say about the boss.

As humans, we all have an innate tendency to question those in authority over us.

Do you know what God calls that tendency?

Let's take a look at what he says...


Given the political climate in the US in recent years, I'm probably not alone in wondering how much my vote really matters. Daniel 2:20-21 may give us a reason to wonder even more.

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding...

Part of that passage is underlined to make a point.  GOD is in control of putting people in positions of authority, whether that authority sits in the White House or elsewhere. The fact that we may not like the decisions our leaders make does not negate the truth that GOD placed them there and nothing surprises Him.

The directive given us in Romans 13:1-2 is pretty straight forward.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

God says we are to be submissive to those HE has placed in authority over us and, He doesn't stop there. He says if we rebel against authority, we rebel against Him.

Notice that God makes no exceptions to His rules.

He didn't say, "Well, you only need to do what your boss says if you like the boss."

Nor did He say, "You only need to respect the president if you voted for him and agree with him."

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) gives us another admonition in regard to authority.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.

That verse may be even more difficult to swallow than the others above. It is very hard for my fallible human mind to accept that the leaders I have difficulty trusting are keeping watch over my soul. However, GOD says it is true and He is truth, so I cannot argue with Him.

There's also another important point made in that verse. Our job is to submit to our leaders. Their job is to keep watch over our souls and they have an added burden that comes with authority. They "will have to give an account."

God doesn't say it is our job to hold our leaders accountable for their actions. It is His alone. Our leaders will have to answer to Him one day.


Yes, we all have this human tendency to question authority.

You may realize now that God calls that tendency SIN.

He says if we rebel against authority, we are resisting Him. He also says He sets up leaders and that they will have to give an account to Him for their leadership. That's His job. Our job is obedience to Him and His Word and that includes being subject to the authority He has placed over us.