Honour Spiritual Authority

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves (Jude 1:8-10).

There’s a remarkable lesson for us to learn from the attitude of Michael the archangel, when he disputed with Satan over the body of Moses. Michael, with all his power and glory, couldn’t dare bring an accusation against Satan, an evil personality. This was because he recognized that Satan had Adamic authority, which is higher than angelic authority. Adam lost his authority to Satan when he ate of the fruit God had instructed him not to.


As a result, Michael could only rebuke Satan in the Name of the Lord, a higher authority. This is very instructive on how we’re to relate to spiritual authority as God’s children. You should never criticize, dishonour or speak against those whom the Lord has placed in positions of authority. That’s the way I’ve lived; I don’t say things against God’s people, especially ministers of the Gospel, because they carry the authority of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 says, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you." Some people in the church have authority over you in the Lord, and they must be honoured as such.

Sadly, there’re some in the Church who believe they’re smarter than their pastors, and are always wanting to "advise" or instruct them on how to run the affairs of the church. This is wrong. You must remain submitted to spiritual authority in order to walk in the power of the Spirit, and fulfil the call of God on your life.

Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for your Word of wisdom that gives me life, guiding my thoughts, words, and actions. Your wisdom is at work in me today, and I’m yielded to the Holy Spirit, who perfects all that concern me, teaching me how to walk in wisdom and recognize spiritual authority, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:
Numbers 26:9-10;
1 Samuel 26:9

Culled from Rhapsody of Realities