Spirit-Led Leaders Respect Authority

Spirit Led Leaders Respect Authority

Spirit-Led Leadership Part 4

Pastor Tamera Kraft, Revival Fire for Kids

Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

In 2 Kings 2, Elisha had followed Elijah to where he was to be taken to Heaven. He had served Elijah for years. When Elijah left, Elisha received double his anointing.

There is a principle there. When we honor our spiritual authority, we will receive a greater anointing. But what if the authority doesn’t deserve honor? It doesn’t matter. I was under an abusive pastor for a few years, but I covered his faults whenever I talked to my team. Finally, God removed me from the situation, but I still refused to dishonor him.

David also was under an abusive leader. King Saul tried to kill him on more than one occasion, but twice, when David had the chance to get retribution, he refused.

The first time, David found Saul in a cave relieving himself. David cut off a small portion of his robe, but even that small act made David feel guilty.

1 Samuel 24:5-7 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

The next time, David found Saul and his men asleep. His general, Abishai, encouraged him to kill Saul while he had a chance.

1 Samuel 26:10-11 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.

Abusive leadership is wrong. I’m not suggesting you remain under abusive leadership forever, but until God removes you, honor your leader if you want to be anointed. The leader may change. You may change. God may release you from that leader or church. Whatever the case, you do your part. Honor and release the rest to God.

So how do we honor those in authority over us when they don’t deserve honor? That’s coming up next, but first, I have a free gift for you. Click the link below to download free Scripture puppet skits.

Also, check out Revival Fire for Kids blog with some great information and posts about kidmin.

Now, here’s some ways you can honor your pastors and leaders.

First, pray for your leaders. Pray God direct them, give them wisdom, and bless them.

Next, obey your leaders. The only exception to this is when, by obeying your leader, you have to disobey God.

Cover your leaders’ fault. Whenever you talk to someone about your leader, never reveal fault about that person or disagree with him publically. Never gossip or sow discord.

Romans 16:17-18 (NIV) I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Finally, when it is time to leave, leave in the right way. Tell the pastor first that you’re leaving because God is leading you elsewhere. This is not the time to tell him everything he’s done to cause you to leave. Refuse to criticize or encourage others to join you in leaving. If the pastor or leadership chooses to vilify you or spread lies about you, allow God to take care of it and defend you. Don’t defend yourself. If someone specifically asks you if you’ve done the thing said about you, you can tell them the truth, but don’t gossip about those spreading the lies.

That’s all for today. Don’t forget to click subscribe and notify so you won’t miss a single episode. God bless.

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