7/42 What about Harmful Authorities in Christian Life?

groupOk so it is possible to get involved in a church system that isn’t pointing people toward Jesus.  What do you do if you are caught in one of these churches?  How do you handle harmful and abusive authorities in your church world and still be honouring?

There are Seven Steps of Action you can take when you disagree with something an authority asked you to do:

  1. Check your own attitudes – Make sure you are not just being stubborn and want your own way. Let them know your willingness to do the right thing with their guidance.
  2. Clear your own conscience – Is there something you have done wrong? Make restitution if needed, ask forgiveness and deal with the problem if it is your fault.
  3. Make sure you understand what their basic reasons for the request – Find out what they are really intended to ask you to do. Know what is it that you feel is wrong  … and why.
  4. Make up a creative alternative – Use the difficult situations to expand your own ideas of life, gain insights and come up with a good alternative for what they are asking of you. Make sure you follow through on the alternative you have agreed on.
  5. Know how to appeal to a higher authority – Know what authorities are “higher” than the one you are dealing with. Make an appointment and explain the problem from your point of view.  Be careful of “throwing dirt” on the first authority.  Leave the final decisions with them.
  6. Give God time to change the authority’s mind – Ask and expect God to help you in the difficult situation. Try to build a right response and realise He is working on you as well.
  7. Sometimes we must suffer for doing what is right – Learn when God is saying to stand firm on your decision. Know when it is time to ‘flee’ and leave the situation.

These are important steps to think and work through the process before you ‘Just walk out the door, never to return’.  Spiritual authority means doing things in God’s way rather than through wounded pride.  God honours the faithful to Him and His principles.

Susanne Fengler, Blog Author

www.christianfoundations.jesus-treeoflife.info

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