How should we respond when others challenge God's authority in our lives? The Setting: Jephthah’s Firm Reply “Will you not possess that which Chemosh your god gives you to possess? So whatever the LORD our God has driven out before us, we will possess it.” (Judges 11:24) Jephthah answers the Ammonite king’s accusation by pointing to what God had already done. He refuses to surrender ground the LORD has given, calmly asserting God’s supreme right to rule His people’s territory and lives. Key Principle: Stand on What God Has Given You • God’s past acts define present confidence. • Our authority rests on His Word, not on shifting opinions. • We do not yield spiritual territory God has secured for us in Christ (cf. Colossians 2:15). When God’s Authority Is Challenged: Practical Responses • Remember what is already yours in Him. – Identity: John 1:12. – Forgiveness: Ephesians 1:7. – Mission: Matthew 28:18-20. • Refuse to negotiate away clear biblical truth. Jephthah did not barter away the land; we do not bargain away Scripture. • Stay calm; rely on God’s record, not personal hostility (Proverbs 15:1). • Answer with Scripture’s logic, not human cleverness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Speaking the Truth with Respect • Jephthah acknowledged Chemosh was nothing more than the Ammonites’ imagined deity, yet he addressed the king courteously (Judges 11:13-15). • 1 Peter 3:15 – “always be prepared to give a defense…yet with gentleness and respect.” • Acts 4:19-20 – Peter and John speak firmly but honorably to authorities. Arming Ourselves with Scripture • The “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). • Daily intake guards against doubt when pushed to compromise (Psalm 119:11). • Declare what God has said; His Word carries its own power (Isaiah 55:11). Trusting God to Vindicate His Authority • Jephthah left final judgment to “the LORD, the Judge” (Judges 11:27). • Romans 12:19 – “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” • Daniel 3:16-18 – The three Hebrews trusted God whether or not deliverance came immediately. Living Under His Lordship Daily • Submit every decision to His revealed will (James 4:7). • Walk openly unashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16). • Keep spiritual territory by resisting sin’s encroachment (Galatians 5:1). • Cultivate a God-centered worldview; challenges then become opportunities to display His supremacy (Matthew 5:16). When others dispute God’s right to rule your life, echo Jephthah: confidently cling to what the LORD has given, speak His truth graciously, and rest in His ultimate authority to defend His name and His people. |
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