UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

God is a God of order, period. One should never take for granted the words of the servants of God nor trivialise the wisdom or instruction that come from their lips. It is simply a system of spiritual authority that God has instituted. According to Romans 13, all authority comes from God and is endorsed by Him. Further, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 clearly exhorts that prayers be made for kings and all those in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Spiritual authority is a different kettle of fish, where it is part and parcel yet surgically distinguished from the general authority given to every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 16:17-18). God Himself releases to his servants a unique brand of authority in the realm of the supernatural, where extraordinary miracles, breakthroughs and sanctions are authorised.

These servants, including but not limited to bishops, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, are separated by God for His purposes and so endowed (Ephesians 4:11). This authority is so exclusive and powerful that both the holder and those who interface with it must be mindful not to be taken by pride or disdain. Depending on how it is approached, it could be the difference between life or death, increase or lack, sickness or health, blessings or curses.

From a divine perspective, a delicate deference should be attributed to those who function in this office. One should even be careful how they disagree or oppose a person who serves in this capacity. However it does not mean they should be a law unto themselves or are always right or even perfect. They are, after all, human. Perhaps in many instances, the concept and fleshing out of the role of servant or Man of God has been so abused that people trample on it and bundle it all as worthless but still to their detriment and demise.

Yes, it should be treated as an office where respect is given to the office over the person who holds the office. Personalities may come prepackaged of course, with inherent idiosyncrasies, flaws and approaches. The individual may also have come from a background of affluence, refined, with innate and acquired gifts, skill sets and influence. Whatever the case, caution and balance must always be exercised when treating with such spiritual authority.

socially disgraceful disease: leprosy. Few knew of his condition, which included a servant girl who was captured by an army led by the said general. She told his wife she knew a servant of God who could heal him of the disease. Connections were quickly made, and protocols were established for a meeting between the two.

In short, the high and mighty general, arriving with pomp and circumstance, was distraught when he was greeted and instructed by the servant of the Man of God, an apparent violation of protocol, to go dip in a filthy pool called Jordan. His pride was severely affected as he complained about how he was greeted and even mentioned several other places he could have gone to dip that were consistent with his pedigree. It is amazing how he relegated the instructions from the servant of God based on his widely myopic perception. Thank God for the little girl who helped recalibrate his reasoning, which resulted in him obeying the very instructions given.

The general was so grateful for his healing that he sent material blessings to the Man of God who refused them. What was mind boggling and a significant turn of events however, was that the servant of the Man of God took the items, and when the Man of God found out, he transferred the leprosy that was on the general to his servant.

Familiarity is often a very high hurdle to cross regarding spiritual authority. Often, family members and other persons who may be privileged to come close forget that this same person with whom they laugh and constantly interact, see their ups and downs, flaws and shortcomings, is the same person who functions in this office. The distinction must therefore be deliberately and consistently made if one will remain on the right side of spiritual authority.

A general, who obviously had all the trappings and backings of the state from which he came, was grievously afflicted with a

It is glorious that the omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent God chose to wrap such access to the supernatural in the human body. Spiritual authority should not be trifled with but treasured. It should be approached and unravelled with godly wisdom to unlock the resources needed to navigate this life.