How can we discern true spiritual authority in light of John 9:29? The Setting of John 9:29 “They replied, ‘We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this man comes from.’” — John 9:29 • Religious leaders championed Moses but dismissed Jesus, the very Messiah Moses foretold (Deuteronomy 18:15). • Their statement exposes a timeless issue: apparent authority versus God-given authority. Defining True Spiritual Authority • Grounded in God’s revealed Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Confirmed by alignment with the full testimony of Scripture (Psalm 119:160). • Embodied supremely in Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). • Recognized by humble service, not self-promotion (Mark 10:42-45). • Authenticated by spiritual fruit and holy character (Matthew 7:15-20; Galatians 5:22-23). Guidelines for Discernment 1. Word Alignment • Ask: Does the teaching square with the plain sense of Scripture? (Acts 17:11) • Anything that contradicts or adds to the gospel is to be rejected (Galatians 1:8). 2. Christ-Centered Focus • True authority confesses Jesus as Lord come in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3). • It magnifies Christ, not the messenger (John 3:30). 3. Evident Fruit • Look for repentance, obedience, and love (Matthew 7:20; John 13:35). • Authority that leaves people unchanged is suspect (James 2:17). 4. Servant Leadership • Leaders imitate the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). • They build up the body, equipping saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16). 5. Consistent Witness of the Spirit • The Spirit bears witness to truth in the believer’s heart (Romans 8:16). • He never contradicts Scripture He inspired (2 Peter 1:20-21). 6. Accountability and Transparency • Healthy authority welcomes testing and correction (1 Thessalonians 5:21). • It lives openly before God and people (2 Corinthians 1:12). Practical Steps Today • Stay Scripture-saturated: daily reading anchors discernment. • Pray for wisdom; God promises to give it generously (James 1:5). • Evaluate teachings and teachers by the six guidelines above. • Refuse to be swayed by charisma, popularity, or tradition alone. • Commit to a sound local church where elders model biblical authority (Hebrews 13:7, 17). Key Takeaways • The Pharisees’ confidence in Moses did not guarantee true insight; they missed the Word made flesh. • Authentic spiritual authority always aligns with the entirety of Scripture, points to Christ, produces godly fruit, and operates in humble service. • Believers armed with the living Word and guided by the Spirit can faithfully discern and follow genuine authority today. |
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