Wisdom and authority

Authority, can you avoid it?

Q- I don’t think we can avoid it at all can we?

Q - When you think about authority what does that mean?

Authority (N)the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

Q - Who, or what would be an example of someone, or something that would have authority over you?

Q- How about within the church are there people that have or should have authority?

Q - Have you been one who has had authority in your life, what kind of responsibilities did you have, or should have had?

Sometimes we may be the ones with authority

Other times we are the ones who must submit to authority

Today we will try to look at Wisdom for those in authority, and then wisdom for those under authority

Those in authority

Their duties

Make Judgments

in humility and with it

Pro16:10 “10 A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.”

Do it quietly, privately, after doing proper research

Pro25:2 “2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”

To administer justice

It is a responsibility

Pro20:8 “8 A king who sits on the throne of justice Disperses all evil with his eyes.”

Not to be done for personal reasons, personal gain, but for those who are under authority

Be it a king, a CEO, manager, elder or a parent, God expects wisdom when it comes to exercising authority

OK, we have looked to wise instructions, now how about we look at qualities?

They must be righteous

To be able to properly administer justice

To be able to judge righteously too.

Pro16:10 “10 A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.”

They must be free from evil influence

Q: What kinds of evil influence have you seen or been tempted by, or controlled by at one time?

In the Proverbs it mentions covetousness and the love of material things

Pr28:15-16 “15 Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16 A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.”

How about must be free from such things as bribery

Pr29:4 “4 The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.”

I think you can agree that there is bribery that happens to land contracts, or with lobbyists and politicians.

How about women, alcohol and the bane of many businessmen and many politicians

Pr31:1-5 “1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: 2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? 3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.”

Another good quality is they must be fair and merciful

For those who cannot speak for themselves

For those who are poor and needy

Pro31:8-9 “8 Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.”

Q: What does it mean, or do you think it means to open your mouth for the mute, rights of the unfortunate, and to defend the rights of the afflicted?

You know we often can cry out for mercy for us and justice against others. That is not the way it should be is it? = = those in authority need to remember that the same judgment they use on others is the same they would use on themselves or have someone else use on you.

For those under authority

All us of fall under the authority of God. And as noted in Rom14, under the authority of the government. Now we are looking at wisdom for those under authority

Their Duties

To honor, respect those in authority

Avoid the people who bring on calamity on themselves

Pro24:21-22 “21 My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, 22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?”

To gain those in authorities favor if possible and appropriate

Pro16:15 “15 In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.”

and

Pro19:12 “12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.”

and

pro20:2 “2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.”

For such favor can be a blessing

And their wrath can be a curse

Remember there is no one in authority except that which God has established (Rom13)

So, those in authority deserve respect, for the position not necessarily the person.

So, from the duties to the qualities now. To learn and to apply where applicable

Those under authority should be wise in conduct and not shameful

Pro14:35 “35 The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him who acts shamefully.”

Those under authority should be careful, deliberate, righteous in speech

Pro16:13 “13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.”

Be gracious in speech (with lips) and have a purity of heart

Pro22:11 “11 He who loves purity of heart And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.”

Those under authority practice excellence in their work

Pro22:29 “29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.”

Should be one with humility

Pro25:6-7 “6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; 7 For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.”

So step back and wait to be asked to step up

Should be one that practices patience and gentleness

Pro25:15 “15 By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.”

Practice these things and you will gain favor with those in authority or these days it said “the king.”

Conclusion

Authority, we cannot avoid it, to be one in or one under. How you handle it is what matters. It can bring glory to God or shame on self

We need to learn, practice wisdom when it comes to authority in all places at all times, all for God’s glory

If we all respected authority be as those with or those under think how wonderful it would be.