Under Cover

1. Sin is Disobedience to God's Authority.

Sin is lawlessness.

Defining sin's core. Many define sin by specific acts like adultery or theft, but the Bible's core definition is "lawlessness" (anomia), meaning being without or violating God's law/authority. Adam's sin wasn't a "gross" act, but simple disobedience to God's command about the tree, which brought immense destruction.

Parables reveal truth. Jesus' parables, like the Great Supper, show that polite excuses for not obeying God's call are considered sin, barring people from His kingdom, while those society labels "sinners" (prostitutes, tax collectors) who obey can enter. True sin is choosing one's own will over God's revealed will.

Last days lawlessness. Jesus warned that in the last days, lawlessness (disobedience to divine authority) would abound, causing the love of many (agape, God's unique love in believers) to grow cold. Many professing Christians who perform spiritual works but practice lawlessness will be rejected because they didn't do the Father's will.

2. Lawlessness Operates Through Deception and Witchcraft.

For rebellion is witchcraft.

Secret power at work. Paul warned of the "secret power of lawlessness" (anomia) at work, which is subtle and deceptive. Satan, the father of deception, used craftiness to deceive Eve in a perfect environment, causing her to disobey by questioning God's goodness and authority.

Ignorance breeds deception. Disobedience opens the door to deception, making people believe they are right when they are wrong. This happens when people hear God's word but don't obey it, or when they have only "communicated knowledge" (secondhand) rather than "revealed knowledge" (by the Spirit), making them vulnerable.

Rebellion is witchcraft. The Bible equates rebellion with witchcraft (qesem), which seeks control. Willful disobedience grants legal access to demonic powers, leading to bondage and control, not freedom. Those who say "Do what thou wilt" align with this principle, becoming slaves to sin, while obedience brings freedom.

3. Disobedience Leads to Severe Consequences.

If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

Certain harvest follows. Just as seeds produce a harvest, disobedience brings certain consequences, though not always immediately obvious. People may underestimate these, focusing on perceived immediate gain, which is the deception of lawlessness.

Cain's example. Cain's offering was rejected not because he didn't work hard, but because he disobeyed God's prescribed way (learned from Adam and Eve's covering). When God warned him that sin (disobedience) was crouching at the door, Cain persisted in his own reasoning, opening the door to envy, hatred, and murder.

Progressive hardening. Repeated disobedience hardens the heart, lessening conviction and replacing it with justification. God's corrective process involves conviction, sending prophetic messengers, and finally, judgment (lifting protection, allowing hardship/affliction) to bring repentance, as seen with the young girl in the car accident.

4. All Authority, Even Harsh, is Appointed by God.

For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

God appoints all rulers. The Bible explicitly states that all governing authorities are appointed by God, not by chance. This applies to civil, church, family, and social authorities. To resist any delegated authority is to resist God's ordinance and bring judgment on oneself.

Pharaoh's case. Even wicked rulers like Pharaoh, who brutally enslaved and murdered Israelites, were raised up by God for His purposes, specifically to display His power and make His name known throughout the earth. This demonstrates that God's priority is redemption and His glory, even through hardship under harsh leaders.

Beyond human understanding. While we may not understand why God allows or appoints harsh leaders like Hitler or Stalin, we are called to trust His unsearchable wisdom and judgments. His purposes are often redemptive, turning suffering into opportunities for His name to be declared and for people to be saved, as seen with Rahab.

5. We Are Commanded to Honor Authority.

Fear God. Honor the king.

Submission is proper behavior. Peter exhorted believers, even those suffering persecution under harsh rulers like Herod Agrippa I, to submit to governing authorities for the Lord's sake. This submission is proper behavior that silences critics and glorifies God.

Honor the position. We are to honor (timao - revere, respect, treat with deference) the position of authority, which is appointed by God, regardless of the individual's character. This is the same word Jesus used for honoring His Father. A lack of the fear of the Lord is evident when we fail to revere authority.

God's servants. Paul calls those in authority God's "servants" and worthy of honor and respect. This applies to civil leaders, employers, teachers, parents, spouses, and church elders (who are worthy of "double honor"). Dishonoring authority, even through criticism or gossip, is a serious offense against God's order.

6. Submission (Attitude) and Obedience (Action) are Distinct.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.

Two distinct commands. The writer of Hebrews commands both obedience (responsive actions) and submission (attitude) towards leaders. One can obey outwardly while having an unsubmissive attitude (like the author initially towards his pastor), which hinders receiving from God.

Willingness matters. God looks at both outward actions and the hidden attitude of the heart. True obedience is coupled with a willing mind and loyal heart. An unsubmissive attitude towards delegated authority resists God's authority and is unprofitable.

Nice rebellion. Conversely, one can have a submissive attitude but fail to obey. Jesus' parable of the two sons illustrates this; the one who said "I will, sir" but did not go did not do the father's will. Good intentions or mental assent are not enough; true faith is evidenced by corresponding works of obedience.

7. Disobey Only When Commanded to Sin.

Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.

Unconditional submission, conditional obedience. The Bible teaches unconditional submission (attitude) to authorities, but obedience (action) is conditional. We are released from obedience only when authority commands something that directly contradicts God's Word (i.e., tells us to sin).

Biblical examples. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to worship the golden image, directly violating God's command, but spoke respectfully to the king. Peter and John refused the Sanhedrin's command not to preach Jesus, as it contradicted Christ's commission, but maintained a submitted attitude.

No gray areas. Disobedience is warranted only when there is a clear violation of God's Word, not based on personal disagreement, perceived foolishness, or even what one believes they heard in prayer if it contradicts authority's directive. God upholds the authority He has delegated.

8. Endure Unfair Treatment Without Self-Defense.

He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

Called to endure. Peter states that enduring unfair treatment from authorities is part of our calling, leaving us Christ's personal example. This suffering, though unpleasant, is used by God for our breaking and growth.

Jesus' example. Jesus, the ultimate authority, remained silent and did not defend Himself before His accusers, leaving His case in God's hands. When we refuse to defend ourselves, we remain under God's grace and judgment, not the accuser's.

God's defense. Agreeing with your adversary quickly (Matt 5:25-26) means acknowledging their position and leaving your defense to God. When the author stopped defending himself against a hostile boss, God intervened and brought righteous judgment later, promoting the author.

9. Dishonoring Authority Invites Judgment.

whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Response reveals heart. Our response to the faults of leaders reveals our spiritual maturity. God uses their mistakes to expose our hearts. Ham dishonored Noah's failure and brought a curse, while Shem and Japheth covered him and were blessed.

Self-inflicted judgment. Resistance to authority brings judgment. Those who criticize or revile leaders, even when mistreated, often experience hardship in finances, jobs, health, or family. Maintaining a sweet spirit and blessing those who mistreat us, like David did with Saul, attracts God's blessing.

Giftedness vs. Authority. Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because they felt their spiritual gifts elevated them above his authority. God judged Miriam with leprosy, showing He views resistance to His appointed authority seriously, regardless of one's gifting.

10. Family Authority is the Foundation.

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Crucial for society. Family authority is foundational to all other forms. God's order in the home is children obeying parents in all things (unless commanded to sin) and wives submitting to their husbands in everything.

Consequences of dishonor. Dishonoring parents brings a curse, while honoring them brings the promise of a long and good life. The author learned this by experiencing hardship after disobeying his father's counsel regarding a roommate.

Marriage authority. A man leaves his parents to join his wife, establishing a new authority structure with the husband as the head. Wives are to submit to their husbands, even unbelievers, as a powerful witness. This submission brings peace and protection, even through a husband's mistakes.

11. God Uses Authority for Our Growth and Blessing.

For even to this you were called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps.

Breaking our will. God desires to break our self-will, making us submitted to His authority, like a trained warhorse is submitted to its rider. This breaking process often involves submitting to delegated authorities, including harsh ones.

Suffering produces character. Enduring unfair treatment from authorities, following Christ's example, is part of our calling. This suffering develops Christlike character and helps us cease from sin. It is a form of spiritual training that arms us for life's challenges.

Positioned for blessing. When we respond correctly to hardship under authority, we are positioned to inherit a blessing. Those who endure hardship like Christ are promised to reign with Him, indicating that spiritual authority is entrusted to those who have proven faithful under authority.

Last updated: May 5, 2025