False Authority

[Reg]

I posted this on the old forum but I think it's time to post it again.

FALSE AUTHORITY"

Because I'm the pastor, that's why!" The words come hard and fast, their meaning penetrates: "How dare you doubt me!" "Are you questioning my authority?" "Don't be a troublemaker." "Keep the peace." "Submit to you elder."

Scripture verses come quickly to mind inseeming support of a blind sort of obedience and submission. Heb 13:17: "Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give account." Romans 13:1-2: "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."

With these scriptures echoing, we tell ourselves, I believe in the Bible, I want to be obedient. He's the pastor, the shepherd, God's servant, His mouthpiece. He really must know more than me. I really must be out of line. I must be seeing this wrong. Who am I to question? I guess I had just better go along. Why? Because he's the pastor, that's why.

This type of thinking is a symptom of living under leadership that legislates and demands obedience to their authority. It rests upon a false basis for authority. The sole basis on which they grasped this authority was because of their rank as ministers alone. In other words, their authority was NOT founded on the fact that they were wise, discerning and true. It was based soley in the fact that they were in charge.

In the new covenant, we see that Jesus established a new basis of authority. It was no longer age, gender, or race. It is now based on the evidence of the Holy Spirit within you. Attributes like maturity, wisdom, genuine holiness, and real knowledge are required in order to evidence Jesus' brand of authority. "Because I said so" does not work anymore. "Because I'm the pastor" does not cut it. So if my basis for authority is solelythat I hold an office, I have a false basis for authority.

We do not have authority in God's eyes simply because we are named the pastor, the elder, or the chairman. We are going to have to speak the truth to have real authority. We are going to have to be sensitive to the Spirit to have authority. We are going to have to be wise, and seek to know and say what God says clearly and accurately.

[Quotes from the book "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" by David Johnson]

[Jerry]

Dear Reg,,,,,,
A true "Shepherd of the Flock" is never in front of the" Flock" leading,,,,,rather he is behind the "Flock" watching their backs.Some people,when others begin to call them "Pastor", get some funny ideas about authority.
Love Jerry

[Janice]

amen!

[Ontheroad]

An amen from me, too.

A shepherd herds the sheep to protect and help them; he doesn't herd them to protect and help himself.

Ontheroad

[Reg]

Another oldie but goody.

[Gizmo]

(((Rwg)))
Thank you for bringing this one up. I needed the reminder. It is all true. I see that this is a false authority i'm dealing with. The insidious part is that he is so good at being a false authority. Thanks again. Keep on bringing these back up. I'm devouring them.