Respect for Authority

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Sorry for the lack of new information. I’ve been working on this post for a couple of days and I’ve been sick for almost a week.

Is it Biblical to respect all authorities? Should the authority have to earn that respect or does the fact that they are in a position of authority automatically mean you should respect them?

God has placed a lot of people in my life that have authority positions. There are my bosses (I think I have at least four), my pastors, my parents, government officials, and then just in general – people who are older than I am. (I was brought up to respect my elders.) As I respect them, I, in turn, am showing respect to God. They don’t have to earn the respect, they just automatically get it.

Coming under authority and showing respect isn’t always easy. Nobody wants to be told what to do or how to do it. We criticize anyone that makes a decision that we don’t agree with. It’s not right. It’s not fair. And, most of all, it’s not good for me. It is the way our country operates though. We have taken freedom of speech to such an unbelievable extent that we think it is OK to openly criticize our leaders, our country, and our values. We don’t seem to see anything wrong with complaining and whining.

Christians are expected to respect God and his choices. He expects that we will respect the people that he has placed in authority over us. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with all their decisions and choices. It does mean you have to show respect for the position and the person who is in that position.

Since we don’t always want to respect authority, is there a good way to accomplish this hard task. How do you submit to and show respect to an authority. Especially, how do you do that when you disagree with them. And, how do you keep a good attitude while you are doing it?

We should start by reading the Word and learning what God’s Word says about respecting authority. Find out how important it is to God. Take a look at how much value He places on your willingness and your attitude in this area.

Next, pray for those in authority over you. Ask God to be with them and guide them. Ask God to give wisdom to help them make good decisions. Ask God to show you how you can be a blessing to them.

Set an example to other believers. Show them what submitting to authority is suppose to be like. Don’t participate in gossiping or complaining about those in authority. Keep your words and your tone of voice respectful.

Recognize ahead of time that you are not going to like every decision they are going to make. Remember that the decisions they make affect more than just you. They are accountable to think about all the people who are under them.

Treat others the way you would like to be treated. If you were in that position, what would you want others to say to you and about you. Put yourself in their shoes – as much as you can. It is usually impossible to really understand all that influences a decision that someone else makes.

Remember that as a Christian, you are called to a higher standard than the rest of the world. God has allowed that person to be in that position. For that reason alone, they deserve our respect. You do not get to choose whether you should submit, just whether you will be obedient.

Have a great week!


Here are a few verses that tie into what we’ve just looked at.

Leviticus 19:3 “Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths.”

I Peter 2 :17-18 “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.”

Romans 13:1-3 “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.”
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