How can we ensure God's authority guides our actions, unlike in Judges 17:6? The Tragic Benchmark in Judges 17:6 “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” When God’s rule is sidelined, personal preference becomes the compass. Israel’s moral drift shows where self-made authority leads: confusion, idolatry, and eventual collapse. Why Living Under God’s Authority Matters • God’s Word is the unchanging standard (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Christ is the rightful King; obedience proves love (John 14:15). • True freedom is found in submission to His lordship (James 1:25). Practical Ways to Keep God’s Authority at the Center 1. Submit to Scripture • Read it daily, letting it shape convictions and choices. • “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) 2. Choose Obedience Over Opinion • Act on what God says—even when culture disagrees. • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22) 3. Walk by the Spirit • Yield moment-by-moment to His inner prompting. • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) 4. Stay Planted in Biblical Community • Gather consistently with believers for teaching, correction, and encouragement. • “Let us not neglect meeting together…but let us encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) 5. Seek Wise, God-Fearing Counsel • Invite accountability; let trusted mentors speak truth into decisions. • “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) 6. Practice Regular Self-Examination • Compare thoughts, motives, and habits with God’s standards. • “Search me, O God, and know my heart…lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) 7. Trust, Don’t Lean • Surrender long-range plans and daily details alike. • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Scripture Saturation Checklist • Memorize key verses (Colossians 3:16). • Journal how each passage applies to current decisions. • Share insights with a friend for mutual strengthening. Living Under the True King Replacing “what is right in my eyes” with “what is written in God’s Word” steers hearts away from the chaos of Judges 17:6 and into the stability of Christ’s kingdom. Every choice becomes an act of loyal worship when His voice is final and His Spirit leads the way. |
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