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Spiritual Authority vs. Civil Authority<br />
methods to dominate and control my wife’s life beyond true spiritual<br />
authority. The honor and respect and submission that I receive from<br />
my wife is always merited and earned, and it is never demanded or<br />
asserted. Likewise, those who correctly demonstrate spiritual authority<br />
have proven themselves to be trustworthy servants not because of a title<br />
or position, but in reality. Earned recognition and trust from the Body<br />
of Christ is one of the characteristics of true spiritual authority.<br />
Below is a chart that contrasts spiritual authority and civil authority.<br />
One thing we must remember about civil authority is that even though<br />
it is not God’s perfect will for mankind, He is still able to use it for<br />
good and asks us to submit to the governing authorities and pray for<br />
them so that the gospel can be spread where we live.<br />
Spiritual Authority<br />
Civil Authority<br />
1. Comes from God’s Spirit<br />
ONLY (Eph. 1:22)<br />
1. Are servants of God to you for<br />
good (Rom. 13:1-7)<br />
2. Is Organic and Free Flowing 2. Is Hierarchical and Positional<br />
3. Is Functional / Related to<br />
Actions<br />
3. Is Official / Related to Static<br />
Office<br />
4. Builds up Everyone in Life<br />
and Relationship<br />
4. Separates into Classes, Titles<br />
and Ranks<br />
5. Is like a Father/Child<br />
Relationship - Family<br />
5. Is like Sergeant/Private<br />
Relationship – Military<br />
6. Is based on Character 6. Is based on Status/Position<br />
7. Cooperative/Persuasive 7. Authoritarian/Dominating<br />
8. Flows from Christ within 8. Rules from an Iron Fist<br />
9. Given to ALL who possess<br />
the Spirit<br />
9. Given to a few to rule over<br />
others<br />
10. Operates through love like a<br />
household<br />
10. Operates through delegation<br />
like a business<br />
Many sincere Christian fellowships cut off the moving of God’s Spirit<br />
because there is an attempt to mix elements of civil authority with<br />
spiritual authority. In other words, any mixture of civil and spiritual<br />
authority causes the Church to be out of God’s divine order so things<br />
cannot flow properly. God is indeed restoring apostles to their full<br />
function in His Body, but this does not make them “President” type<br />
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