The Power of Authority

Nearly every day we read or hear about someone, somewhere, getting into some kind of trouble. Of course, there is the unintentional, small incidents that wind up being more of a nuisance than a long-term, stay-on-your-record-forever issue. Maybe you forgot to renew your automobile tag this year and you get pulled over by a police officer. He or she may write you a warning or even a citation for the expired tag. But, more often than not, this is merely a matter of paying the renewal fee or perhaps the fine. Over and done with.

However, this is not what I am addressing here. No, the kinds of incidents to which I am referring is the larger, intentional ones. This could involve lying or stealing or breaking into someone's property or maybe something worse. These types are those that have lasting, negative effects on lives. Unfortunately, there is little someone, in the natural, can do about them. I say, in the natural, because there are spiritual weapons God makes available to you and me that we can use to combat these effects. More on that later.

Perhaps among other common factors, there is one glaring attribute that each of these perpetrators has; no respect for authority.

One lesson I have taught for decades to both my children and those I mentor is to learn to understand authority early in life. Either you learn authority early on or it will be forced on you someday by someone and in some cases, by someone you may not prefer.

Learning authority should start out as early as toddler-age. For instance, when a child may reach to touch something they should not because it could endanger them, the lesson of authority is a great one to have learned if that authority figure instructed them not to touch it.

Authority refers to accepted power—that is, power that people agree to follow. People listen to authority figures because they feel that these individuals are worthy of respect.

It boils down to the realization that the person with authority in your life, God has allowed to come. Learn to respect it. Learn to accept it.

Authority begets authority. Meaning, as you learn to respect authority in your own life, the more authority you will be given in the lives of others.

The sooner you accept and understand authority has been given to you and they're not the enemy, the sooner you will begin to experience lasting success in your life. Begin today!