What steps can we take to "confront the officials" in our own lives? Setting the Scene Acts 5:29 sets the tone: “But Peter and the other apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’ ” The apostles had been ordered by the Sanhedrin to stop preaching Jesus. Instead of retreating, they respectfully but firmly made it clear that God’s command outranked any human directive. Scripture gives this incident as a literal, historical model for our own encounters with authority. Why Confront Officials? • God sometimes calls His people to challenge ungodly decisions that harm others or silence the gospel (Daniel 3; Esther 4:14). • Confrontation can display God’s righteousness and mercy to those in power (Matthew 10:18). • Silence in the face of evil makes us complicit (Proverbs 24:11). Steps for God-Honoring Confrontation 1. Pray First • Seek clarity, courage, and the Spirit’s leading (2 Timothy 1:7). • Intercede for the official involved (1 Timothy 2:1-2). 2. Examine Motives • Ask whether the issue is truly about God’s truth, not personal irritation (James 1:20). 3. Know God’s Word • Anchor your position in clear Scripture so you can say, “Thus says the Lord” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 4. Respect the God-Given Office • “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). • Show honor even while disagreeing (1 Peter 2:17). 5. Speak Truth in Love • “Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) guards against harshness. • Use calm, courteous language; avoid personal attacks. 6. Rely on the Holy Spirit for Words • Jesus promised, “In that hour you will be given what to say” (Matthew 10:19-20). 7. Accept Possible Consequences • Peter and John endured flogging yet rejoiced (Acts 5:40-41). • Daniel faced lions; his friends faced fire—and God was with them (Daniel 3; 6). 8. Trust the Outcome to God • Whether the official repents or resists, God’s purposes stand (Proverbs 21:1). Putting It into Practice • Address a school board promoting policies that violate biblical morality. • Meet with a supervisor pressuring you to act unethically. • Petition local government when laws threaten the innocent. • Write respectfully to legislators about pro-life or religious-freedom issues. • Calmly refuse directives that force you to deny Christ, accepting any loss or penalty. Key Scriptures to Remember • Acts 5:29 – Obey God rather than men. • Romans 13:1-4 – God establishes authority yet sets its limits. • Proverbs 28:1 – “The righteous are as bold as a lion.” • 1 Peter 3:15 – Defend your hope with gentleness and respect. • Ephesians 4:15 – Speak the truth in love. • 2 Timothy 1:7 – Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. |
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