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Foundation Scriptures: Joshua 24:1-28
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 AMP
1. The reason most people fail in their life is because they do not understand authority, they do not recognize legitimate authority and they do not make a proper response to authority.
God is Supreme authority—He created everything and is over everything. Every created thing must bow to Him.
Isaiah 45:23
Romans 14:11
Philippians 2:10-11
God created man in His image and gave them authority over the earth.
Genesis 1:27-28 AMP
The devil is an illegitimate authority. He stole man’s authority from Adam and Eve.
Even though he took man’s authority by deception, God still could not just snatch it back from him. Jesus took it back on behalf of man. The devil never would have crucified Jesus if he had known God’s plan to take back man’s authority and to restore man once again into right-standing with God.
1 Corinthians 2:8
God uses His authority for GOOD! God is LOVE, His primary motivation is MERCY and His desire is to BLESS!
2. If you want to succeed in every area of your life, you must submit to legitimate authority. By doing so, illegitimate authority can have no place in your life.
You must personally submit your life to the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
James 4:7 KJV—Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Do not give the devil any place in your life.
Recognize all authorities that God has placed in the earth. Romans 13:1-10
Make a decision to walk in the love of God toward all men at all times. That includes—and is especially applicable to—your own family.
3. Husbands and fathers—God has set you in place as the head of your home. You not only have authority, but you have responsibility.
Make the decision that Joshua made: as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
You cannot force your family into serving God—you must influence them in.
Set the example of a godly man, who honors the Lord and is submitted to Him in all things.
According to God’s plan, you should be the most unselfish person in your house—not the most selfish—as is often the case.
You are the head of the house—not the dictator and not the wimp!
Recognize that your wife is not as tough as you are and live considerately with her so your prayers will be answered.
1 Peter 3:7
Do not be like a bull in a china shop with your children, but do not abdicate your responsibilities to raise them right either.
Don’t irritate and provoke them—raise them tenderly. Correct them and teach them. Ephesians 6:4
Do not break their spirit. Colossians 3:21
You are the protector or your family. Protect your wife and children from anything that could harm them physically, mentally or spiritually. Protect them from corrupting influences.
You are there to bless your house and to be a blessing to them.
4. Wives and mothers—God has given you your place, under the headship of your husband, to have authority over your household.
Submit to your husband in the fear of the Lord. Submission is not just allowing someone to walk all over you against your will. Do not make your husband force submission on you by rebellion or indifference. Don’t be a bucking bronco or a whipped puppy. You must make the decision for yourself. Decide to submit to your husband—in faith—out of respect to God’s Word.
Submit without giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you. 1 Peter 3:6
God has given you a pattern in Proverbs 31:10-31
Your husband should be able to confidently trust you, because you only do him good as long as there is life within you. Proverbs 31:11-12
Be secure in the Lord; prepare for the future in faith; speak kindly; take care of your family, while keeping your nose out of everyone else’s. Proverbs 31:25-27
5. Children (of all ages) respect the authority of parents that God has placed in you life. They are there for your good—not your harm. God will hold them responsible for your care and well being.
Obey your parents in the Lord.
Ephesians 6:1-3 AMP—Children obey your parents in the Lord [as His representatives], for this is just and right. 2 Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother–this is the first commandment with a promise–3 That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.
Colossians 3:20 AMP—Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
NB Every one of us will give our own account to God for our own thoughts, words and actions. Whether we are in authority or under authority, let us each one honor the Lord in our choices. In doing so, we will fulfill God’s purpose for our lives and we will leave a trail of blessing and not a trail of devastation in our wake!
