The Need to Exercise Judgment-Part Two: Discerning Authoritarianism

In the last post of this vein, I spent a good deal of energy looking into what judgment is really all about and how it is a vitally important practice for the spiritual health of the believer.

At this time, I would like to exercise a bit of discernment in the area of….

authoritarianism.

Authoritarianism is a very widespread problem in the church today. It is essentially the result of unbroken individuals who muscle (or talk) their way into a leadership positions among groups of believers.

There are recognizeable traits to look for which are indicative of authoritarian tendencies in someone.  Let’s look over a few of them, shall we?

One is that the leader will often preach on and magnify the virtues of humility and submission while at the same time making their own agenda loud and clear to the “faithful flock”.

This is manipulation at it’s best as it uses the truth to propagate what is essentially a lie.

Another is that once they establish their alpha position, they will impose their own ‘unspoken’ laws upon you in order to fulfill their agenda. These laws will  typically be taught in the form of sermons or messages and they will be ‘backed’ by brief excerpts of biblical text.

One of these laws is known as ‘the law of silence’ and could be written like this:

“Thou shalt not question my authority nor my judgment. Mine is the way and the only way and If thou hast any issues with me or my ministry, take them to the cross or leave in silence!”

And the second which is like it, goes like this:

“Thou shalt sweep any and all offences under thine rug, for there is no good nor evil, but only Christ!”

One can only imagine all of the other ‘laws’ that hang from just these two.

I realize that these are tricky because, well, what they impose on you is “biblical”. Furthermore, these are just a couple of examples from a vast array of abusive authoritarian methods.

But let me tell you a secret:

Just because something is biblical, doesn’t mean that it’s right.

You can make the bible say anything that _you want_ to make the bible say, and that is exactly what an authoritarian leader does.

Now hear me me out: I do believe in spiritual authority. It exists…..but It’s not what we so often believe it to be.

It’s not a certificate of accomplishment.

It’s not length of years in ‘the ministry’.

It’s not the skill of oration.

It’s not the knowledge of the bible.

It’s not the tone or volume of the voice.

It’s not the carefully crafted sermon or message.

It’s not the charisma or personality.

{However, it can be expressed in any and all of these things…}

Authentic Spiritual authority is present only to whatever degree  that the living  Christ is  expressed  in and through the thoughts, words, and deeds of the believer.

In other words; authentic Spiritual authority is Jesus Christ.

Paul lets it be known that there are some  (and today many) who take the Logos of God and use it in the wrong manner. In the passage below, Paul is referring to teachers who try to sell their twist on God’s revelation to unsuspecting victims:

2 Cor. 2:17

For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

I have issues with this first example, but for me, for now, that’s just not my drum to beat (although I hope someone starts beating it soon….). it is rather with this next example that I am presently concerned. Read how Paul makes a clear and obvious connection between dishonesty and the improper handling of God’s Word:

2 Cor. 4:2

But (we) have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

It’s this kind of misleading that I’m bothered with today. It’s a very big problem.

While I’m not quite sure as to what kind of mishandling Paul was referring to in this letter to the Corinthians, I do believe that it is safe to say that whenever the Word of God, be it the scripture or the revelation, is used in a dishonest manner, a manner which is crafty or decietful, it inevitably causes harm to the Lords people.

All too often, gifted men of God turn their hearts away from the living and active Jesus in order to pursue the lusts of their flesh and the pride of life.

Sometimes it’s for money, but it’s always about power.

Recently In a brief conversation about church leadership, a dear brother reminded me of a passage in Hebrews which speaks of submitting to ‘those who have the rule over’ you, and ‘who watch over’ and ‘give account for you’.

Here is the text–

Hebrews 13:17

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

I needed to be reminded of this principle. Honestly, I believe in submitting to those with authentic spiritual authority. To not do so would be a sure indicator of a prideful spirit on my part. I will submit, but I tell you the truth:

My Standard is very, Very high.

Why?

Because my standard is Gods standard.

We need more than the text which states that we are to submit. We also need to be reminded of the other stuff that is being said in those passages, the stuff that is an important part of the context. Not only that, but we also need to be taught what these principles really mean.

Here is a similar exhortation just a few passages prior–

Hebrews 13:7

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Let’s look at the definition for “those who rule“ .

Lexicon Results

Strong’s G2233 – hēgeomai

Part of Speech

verb

Outline of Biblical Usage

1) to lead

a) to go before

b) to be a leader

1) to rule, command

2) to have authority over

3) a prince, of regal power, governor, viceroy, chief, leading as respects influence, controlling in counsel, overseers or leaders of the churches

4) used of any kind of leader, chief, commander

5) the leader in speech, chief, spokesman

I like what  ”1)a ” says.

“They lead by going before“.

They are further along, not only in general experience, but in following the Lord Jesus. They have gone first.

They are not simply talking the talk, but they are also walking the walk.

They are not simply talking about the race, but they are finishing the race!!

“Ordination” doesn’t cut it.

“Titles” can be just mere words.

“Revelation” is limited.

“Apostolic Succession” fails.

But wait!… there is more!!

Look at what STRONG’S says about “over you” in this same passage:

Lexicon Results

Strong’s G5216 – hymōn

Part of Speech: pronoun

1) of yours

Of mine?

You mean…. not those who are lording over

me, but rather those who belong….. to me?!

So we could accurately interpret this passage to read in the following way:

“Remember those  who are further down the Path, those who are yours, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, and whose faithfulness is proven by their conduct”.

This means that we have something of a right to assess those whom would desire to lead us in spiritual things.

Please read carefully what I’m about to say here:

The writer of those passages was, in the first place, writing to an actual group of people in a particular historical event. There was a very specific context for all that was said in that letter (this is true for all of the New Testament epistles).

At best, we can only presume to know and understand what that exact context was. Otherwise, we end up reading into the inspired scripture our own biases, philosophies or worse; our own agendas.

We must be extremely careful in how we read, teach, and apply.

While I believe that the scriptures are inspired and vital to the present life and welfare of the church, I also believe that the word of God is to be rightly divided.

It’s not that the scripture has no practical/spirtual value. Of course it does.

But even so, I believe that ultimitely the place of scripture is to help guide us into personal relationship with Jesus Christ whom, by His Spirit, writes His ways on our hearts.

The bible as “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”, I think kind of misses the mark.

Moving along…

Paul says to test everything, hold to the good and eschew the evil. This includes teachings, doctrines, sermons, messages, etc…

So then, based on the handful of scriptures that we have looked at thus far, we may conclude the following concerning the kind of person in the church that we should be persuaded by:

1) They lead by example and the proof is in their conduct.

2) They truly care for and watch out for your soul.

3) They are accountable.

4) They don’t peddle Gods word.

5) They are honest.

6) They are sincere.

That’s a pretty tall order, friends… but it’s an order which needs to be filled by anyone who seeks to be, or is appointed as a ‘leader’ in God’s community.

My advice to you, dear reader, is that if the character and disposition of your ’spiritual leader’ doesn’t harmonize with the above,…. then don’t follow.

Seek the Lord.

Pray for an example.

Does such a person even exist?

Yes, His name is…

Jesus Christ,

the same yesterdy, today and forever…

and…

He is known by His fruit.

(And we wonder why that little line is written in the middle of those texts about “leadership”.)

Too many dear saint’s have been swept up into the deception of men who talk the talk, and yet who do not walk the walk. What troubles me about this is that it continues under the mind wrenching guise of ’spiritual authority’.

It must come to an end.

Brokeness is the key to Spiritual authority.

If you want to become the greatest, you must become the least.

(To be continued…..)