We are living in a culture that does not want to be told what to do by anyone. It seems as though respect for authority has become a thing of the past. Left behind with black and white TV and lead-based paint. This culture has even started to make its way into the church and infected the faith of many Christians. It’s a sad fact that many who proclaim faith believe that they have no real need for a pastor in their life. That there is no real need for them to submit to spiritual authority.
Yet that is not the story we are taught in the scripture. In reality, our Bible shows us just how important a man of God is in the life of every believer. Remover that much of what we read in our Bibles was written to act as an example to us. Teaching us how to live and how not to live.
1 Corinthians 10:11 (ESV)
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
As you travel through the Old Testament the man of God is a common theme. In the Book of judges, we are given the greatest examples of what a righteous spiritual authority is able to do in the lives of a group of people. When Joshua and those who stood with him passed away no one stepped up as the next spiritual leader authority for the Israelites. Causing them to quickly fall into sin and ultimately to serving false Gods. Ultimately bringing the wrath of God upon themselves.
Judges 2:10–13 (ESV)
10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.
11 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. 12 And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger. 13 They abandoned the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth.
Without someone to lead them and remind them of God. Instructing them in His ways and keeping them from sin the Israelites quickly fell away from the faith. God had compassion on His people through and would continue to raise up a spiritual authority to lead the people. Yet as soon as that judge would pass away the people would once again forsake the Lord. Forgetting all His way and commands. Turning to false Gods who couldn’t save them and embracing sin.
Judges 2:18–19 (ESV)
18 Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. 19 But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.
Judges 4:1 (ESV)
4 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died.
Judges 8:33–34 (ESV)
33 As soon as Gideon died, the people of Israel turned again and whored after the Baals and made Baal-berith their god. 34 And the people of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side,
Throughout the book of Judges, we see what happens when the people are left without spiritual authority. They quickly fall away from God and end up in sin. It’s a trend that spans over 450 years and shows that mankind is unable to stay on track serving God without a spiritual leader in their life.
This trend is not something only seen in the book of Judges. Take what we see in the book of Nehemiah. He was given authority in the city of Jerusalem to see it rebuilt. As they were rebuilding the city they began to study the scripture and discovered many of the Lord’s commands for his people. Nehemiah was quick to follow and ensure were followed by all the people. Once he had finished his duties in the city he returned to his position in the king of Babylon’s house.
Nehemiah 13:6 (ESV)
6 While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And after some time I asked leave of the king
While he was in Babylon he received word of what was taking place in Jerusalem. After he left everything flipped upside down. In fact, he lists many issues that had already been addressed that came back up once he left. So he did the only thing he could and resumed his role as spiritual authority and got back to work putting everything in order according to God’s word.
Nehemiah 13:10 (ESV)
10 I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field.
Nehemiah 13:15–16 (ESV)
15 In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them on the day when they sold food. 16 Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself!
Nehemiah 13:23–24 (ESV)
23 In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people
Nehemiah 13:30–31 (ESV)
30 Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work; 31 and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits.
Remember me, O my God, for good.
We can even see that the Apostle Paul experienced this in his ministry. While he was with the Galatian Church they came to faith and even lived out faith according to the Gospel of Christ. Yet once he had moved on to the next place. No longer assuming the role of their spiritual authority they got caught up in a false gospel.
Galatians 1:6 (ESV)
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
We are just as susceptible to falling away from God when we are on our own today as they were then. Nothing has really changed in that aspect of life. We still need a spiritual leader to keep us focused on our Lord and savior. Someone who is always there to expose us to the realities of sin and to keep us from returning to our past lives lost in the world. Which is the reason God has placed shepherds over his flocks today?
1 Peter 5:2 (ESV)
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly
The writer of Hebrews even points out the need for Christians to submit to their leaders. Because they have been placed in our lives to watch over us. Even saying that they must give an account for us.
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Having a spiritual leader in your life is for your benefit. In fact, James even says that many should not take on the role of teacher because those who teach will be judged more harshly. Realize that the man of God in your life is benefiting you far more than you are benefiting them.
I have heard of many who thought they could stay right with God without a pastor or spiritual leader in their life. But I have never heard of anyone succeeding in that venture. The truth is every Christian needs someone in their life that is their spiritual authority. Even your pastor needs a pastor.
So don’t be tempted to conform to today’s culture and resent authority. Instead, follow the leading of scripture and submit to the authority God has placed in your life. Just be sure you submit to someone sold out to the Lord who lives a righteous lifestyle according to the scripture. Which we will be discussing in an upcoming article.
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