Authority, Order and Motivation
(Principles & Examples)

Section I: Principles of Authority, Order and Motivation

1. Identifying Motivating Factors.

This section is intended to encourage thinking about the motivating factors behind the various decisions that every Christian makes in everyday life. We all have an old nature, the "old man" of Eph 4, that we have to deal with continually. This should cause us to realize that there will be some things that we do that are not pleasing to the LORD. Sometimes, we are not conscious of what is the motivating factor in our life at that moment. It is safe to say that the enemy of our souls and of our testimony for Jesus Christ is continuously looking for opportunities to ensnare us through the power of deception of which he is prince. Thus the Holy Spirit faithfully represents him to us in many ways, such as, the Deceiver, the worker of subtlety, and the beguiler of the simple. None of us is able, within his own might, to withstand Satan's wiles. Nor can we totally isolate ourselves from contact with the Deceiver's mechanisms that he uses to influence those he wishes to control.

We live in a world that has an ever increasing capability to influence us by the media bombardment. This is manifest by the contents of books, magazines, newspapers, radio, TV, video, movies, music, advertisements and the entertainment industry in all of its various forms. Much of this influence of the world is motivated by the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, that rules over the children of disobedience. The essence of disobedience is the denial of the order imposed on us by just authority. The just authority is God Himself and those duly appointed by Him to order our life.

The only successful relationships that anyone experiences are those that implement the order that God ordained for that relationship. Without recognition of authority, problems will inevitably develop that destroy the harmony (the proper order) of the relationship. There are many reasons that can be given for lack of submission to authority in our life. But the only exceptions that would be acceptable to the Just Authority are those that He specifies. The exceptions that deceived or willful Christians put forth are to be rejected by those who are "acknowledging Him in all their ways". This is because their exceptions have not been ordained by the only just authority and thus are unauthorized. [These unauthorized exceptions will be addressed later in Section II.] It is only as we yield to the power of the Holy Spirit within us that we can keep ourselves. We need all of the provisions which the LORD has provided for us. We dare not despise any of His help. So this study intends to lay out the challenge, the trials and the help for our edification and warning.

The two basic motivations that Christians can yield to are as follows: 1) Self-denial in service to Christ or 2) Self-exaltation. Understanding the latter motivation is very important. This is where the deceiver has the advantage over us because we are not taking advantage of the protection that God, in Christ, has provided to us for our walk. This latter basic motivation consists of 2 distinct factors: a) self-righteousness (deception) and b) willfulness (conscious and deliberate disregard for the will of the LORD). So this section will address these 3 motivating factors:

1. Self-denial — acknowledging God in all our ways
2. Self-righteousness — serving God in ways that please us and not Him
3. Self-will — conscious rebellion against the ways of God.

2. Associating Fruit with a Specific Motivating Factor

All of us have experiences with each of these motivating factors throughout our lifetime. Hopefully, the percentage of time we yield to each factor changes over time for the better. II Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen. Where we are is a moment by moment choice of ours. We yield as we deem fit in each situation. We are not forced to do either right or wrong. But we "yield" to the one we choose (be it righteousness or unrighteousness). And we also reap consistent with our choice of motivation.

Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 6:13 Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin(associated bad fruit): but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God (associated good fruit). 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Each motivating factor is described by 4 aspects: 1) Goal, 2) Choice, 3) Conduct and 4) Fruit. The 4 aspects have the following meaning. The Goal is the conscious end to which we wish to attain. The Choice (which may be conscious and may not be, if we are not careful but are simple and naive regarding our deceitful hearts) is the selection of the final authority who is authorized by us to make all the decisions along the way to the goal. The Conduct is the means that are exercised by us in the effort to reach the goal. The Fruit is the "end of our conduct" that is ordained by the Holy Spirit to be evaluated by others (and ourselves) so as to identify the choice. How could we not consciously know the choice we made? It is a part of the human condition that we tend naturally to believe words without serious thought as to whether they merit our trust. We must practice being diligent in this area that is so vividly portrayed as an inherent weakness of ours.

[How the different goals and choices affect the end result]

[The cause and effect relationship of whom we serve]

3. Motivated by the Factor of Self-Denial

Making Good Decisions

Self-denial is understood to be a walk in which we put the Lord first in our life ahead of ourselves. It is a walk that acknowledges the LORD in all our ways. It is following His precepts and not our thoughts of what seems best. Psalms 119:128 Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts [concerning] all [things to be] right; [and] I hate every false way. We must be constrained by the love of Christ to deny ourself. We desire to restrain our actions to those things that are becoming to the gospel and edifying to those that will be influenced by our lives. This requires carefulness in the daily decisions that we make so that we are circumspect in our walk. To make good decisions, a Christian should be mindful of the following 4 necessary things:

1. Maintain a desire to be right in God's sight
2. Avail ourselves with the knowledge of Godly principles from the scriptures
3. Understand the various aspects of a situation being decided (i.e. know the facts)
4. Allow wisdom to guide the timing and degree of action sufficient for the situation

Seeking Counsel

The first two aspects can and necessarily should be the responsibility of the individual through keeping their heart and renewing their mind. The last two, c & d, are products of experience in life and most often are not something that is already ours to draw on when we first face a new type of decision in our life. This is why counsel is advised by the Holy Spirit in the scriptures. We are wise to seek out hearty counsel and wisdom from those who are either ahead of us in Christian experience or over us in the Lord. They are commended to us by their fruit. Some helpful admonitions from the proverbs on the need for counsel are as follows:

Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety. 12:15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise. 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established. 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. 20:18 [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. 27:9 ... rejoice the heart: so [doth] the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

Hopefully we consider our brethren as our friends and would desire their counsel in our life. If this is not truly our mind, then it is time for serious examination of what has gone wrong. Something is seriously wrong!

Checking Motivation

It is not a weakness to seek counsel but prudent spiritual conduct when we go to the proper counselors recommended to us by the scriptures (not our preferences). Herein lies a potential snare. The Devil will attempt to have us operate without that which God provides for us. This may be manifested to us by the thought that seeking counsel is a declaration of weakness on our part. Actually, it is being prudent and wise rather than being weak. The humble heart will gladly seek help. The haughty heart or deceived heart will think there is something debasing or unspiritual about it. But herein also lies a clue to seeing the snare. If seeking counsel is debasing, the one being put down is self. Yet self should already be "reckoned dead", "crucified", "denied" by a spiritual heart. Someone who has so reckoned themselves is not able to "put down" or debase a self already in that state or position. Only a self not reckoned dead at that moment would have the current exalted status to feel "put down". Remember, we are talking about the moment to moment experiences of life. The daily trials of our faith are what we are discussing. Victory is the final outcome for Christians after this life is over. Until then, we engage in the continual warfare that is described by the Apostle Paul as the GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH.

Developing Humility

Seeking counsel outside of self is a humbling expression. It declares our need for others. This is a spiritual truth of great value. God wants to develop this "bigger than self" concept for our benefit. This new dimension, beyond self, can be referred to as the spiritual dimension in our life. Humility is a nurturing attitude essential for this dimension to develop properly. A walk of self-denial, as described above, will nurture the growth of humility. This will keep us from being swept away by the current flood in our society of "rights-seeking" individuals. These rights' movements cater to the "old man" in every individual. That is why they are so popular. Christians are equally susceptible to these siren calls because our old man is always wanting to have the final say in our lives. "Rights" seeking is the essence of a sectarian spirit. The license to do whatever one chooses and still be regarded as spiritual. The message from a sectarian heart is usually heavily laced with "grace" and "liberty in Christ" phrases that promote "I" can do whatever "god" directs me to. And you have no right to judge me or condemn my "liberty". "Rights" seeking here is manifested by insubordinate behavior. This is manifestly different from making appeals to a higher authority while maintaining orderly behavior.

I Corinthians 6:19 ... and ye are not your own? 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

This is unacceptably strong language for the "old man". Only the "new man" could understand or rejoice in such liberating truths. The "old man" wants to control us and serve the lusts of our mind and body. Yet this is in direct opposition to the walk Christians are called to manifest. The Spirit wishes to see us walk in liberty from sin and loss.

Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Recognizing Just Authority

To serve the LORD Jesus Christ, we must recognize what the word LORD implies. It is one to whom we are subjugated. When Christ is our Lord, He determines what we will or will not do according to what is pleasing in His sight. This is totally contrary to our "old man". The "old man" will gladly serve Christ in ways that are pleasing to the "old man". But these ways are not what is pleasing to the LORD. To recognize the authority that the LORD should have in our life (based on His purchasing us by giving His life for our sins) is a scary thing unless we trust that He wants only what is best for us. Probably none of us believe that all of the time.

The culture in which we live is increasingly anti-authority in nature. The authority that God Himself is, is repudiated by most people in our culture. This has an increasing influence on Christians living in such a culture (ICor 15:33). What authority does God want us to recognize? This is such an important question! We each need to be fundamentally clear on God's answer to this question found in His holy Word. We must recognize God's authority first as LORD of the life of a Christian. Then, and only then, will it be clear that He also has ordained authority in others. If our concept of submission to God is of the form, "When it pleases me to please Him, I will. When it does not please me to please Him, then I will not", we have a very flawed concept. This is not submission to God, but merely "doing what is right in our own eyes". If we attempt to excuse ourselves by saying, "I do not understand why what God says to do could be right" or "He would not want me to violate my own conscience (read, "do what is wrong in my sight"), then we are merely "leaning unto our own understanding". Both of these 2 excuses are explicitly rejected in the scriptures. (Pr 16:2, 14:12, 3:5-6 just to name a few of the many, many references) If we clearly see that His way is the only way that is right, then we, if humble, will want to know precisely and exactly what He says.

Recognizing Delegated Authority

What we find in the scriptures is the explicit designation of others that God has ordained to have authority in the lives of His people. The express purpose for those in authority is that we may be a testimony to the world for Him as to how well His order works and the blessings it brings to those that follow it. In the marriage relationship, man is the head of the woman (Eph 5:23). In the home, parents are the authority over the children (Eph 6:1). In society, government is responsible for order (Rom 13:1-7). In employment, the employer is to be honored and served as one should serve God (Ti 3:1, Eph 6:5-6). In the Church, leadership is to be obeyed and followed (Eph 4:11-16, 1Th 5:12-13, Heb 13:7,17. 1Ti 3:4-5). Our duty is to obey those that God has placed in positions of authority. They are to be obeyed because that is pleasing to Him, not because the individual merits it. This is very important to understand and truly believe.

Rationalizing Ignoring Authority

When we wish to excuse ourselves from God's order, a typical first retreat is to condemn the behavior of the one in a position of authority relative to us. Somehow we feel totally justified in ignoring God's order ourselves based on our opinion that the one in authority over us has first ignored God's requirement on their behavior. Thus the proverbial "two wrongs do not make a right" is once again manifested. Sin on another's part does not give me license to ignore God's order and thus be justified in my sin. Yet this argument is quite acceptable to our "old man". However, once God's order is discarded, then we are free to do what we think is best. That is the way we (our old man) all want life to be. But this is never justified in God's sight. God wants us to acknowledge the truth in all our ways. This means at all times. Any exceptions to God's order need to come from the one who set the order in place, not from the rationalizing of a desperately wicked heart. We need to appeal to scripture and let it speak and not wrest it to our own destruction (2Pe 3:16).

Submitting to Authority

Our service to Christ as Lord of our life needs to come from a willing heart. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. He desires submission (conscious willing servitude) and not service out of necessity which is of no benefit to us. This submission places and keeps us in harmony with God and the things that God has ordained. What a peace, within, (deep and abiding regardless of circumstance) that comes from being in harmony with the Creator and the things that He has created! A humble submissive walk in service to Christ is the secret to bearing much fruit to the honor and glory of the heavenly Father. When this type of walk is our choice, He will (because He promised) direct our paths.

4. Motivated by the factor of Self-Righteousness

Believing Our Heart is Deceitful

This is the factor that is the most needful to be understood (because of its deceptiveness) for a Christian to be aware of their potential for involvement and learn how to detect it in themselves and others. It is where we are not conscious of what we are actually doing. We are saying the correct things. We are thinking about and desiring the correct goals. We simply are not walking in the truth by acknowledging God in all our ways nor reaping consistent with such a walk. We are as described by James, "James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. We are ensnared by the enemy of both our souls and our testimony for Christ. We are leaning to our own understanding but we consciously believe, in our deceitful heart, that we are doing what is pleasing to God. WE ARE DECEIVED.

Seeing Deceit in Actions

How does it "look" to us and others as they watch us? Some in this condition exhibit the following behavior consistent with the pattern of "sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a destiny". They think — I need no teacher but the Holy Spirit, they act — in denial of God's order for our lives as presented in His precepts, they habitually — act with independence from others, till they reach their destiny — become castaway from usefulness to the assembly.

Others can comfort themselves in the "what seems to be right", or "it is right in my own eyes" view of their walk. They have no sincere or sober regard for what others think of their walk, because that is a matter reserved for themselves and God to resolve. In such cases, it is clear to any humble Christian, whose side will be given the preeminence in resolving the matter. The individual will declare his way to be right for him. He will also comfort his soul with the notion that God will likewise see the wisdom of his choice and smile approvingly.

Hearing Scriptural Warnings

However, the scripture plainly gives God's view of such things. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him (i. e. God), and he shall direct thy paths. 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. The previously stated rationale is exactly the snare of being wise in our own eyes as warned against in Pr 3:7. God has stated clearly His will for us. To ignore His clear statements is open presumption. He does not smile at presumption as a brief view of presumption in the scriptures will reveal (Num 15-16 is a good example).

Understanding Effects of Deceit

While we continue in this mode of action, deceiving ourselves, a process is taking place that is very frightening if one but soberly reflect on it. Hebrews 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. The process of hardening our hearts or searing of our consciences is ongoing. The longer we continue in this mode of walk, the less likely we are to soberly hear the entreaties of others. We are constantly being entreated by the Holy Spirit, yet, without yielding. When our deception becomes manifest to others, we have already been in the process for some time. That is why the contentions of those who separate themselves in self-exaltation are, usually, so strong.

Proverbs 18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom. 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 18:19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle. II Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 10:5 Casting down imaginations, (reasonings - [KJV] marginal rendering or arguments - [NKJ and NIV] or speculations - [NAS]) and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

A clear signal of hardened hearts or seared consciences is quick, strong contentions and arguments. They are anything but "easy to be entreated". (Jam 3:13-18) We have observed many brethren who have exhibited this type of behavior. It has destroyed both our confidence in them and their usefulness to the assembly by a failure to humble themselves.

Reaping the Fruits of Deceit

The fruit of such conduct is as follows: separation, alienation, exaltation of "I" in all of its forms, preferences, disdain for brethren (especially those in leadership), bitterness that keeps springing up and defiling others, sedition, strife, envy, hypocrisy, loving to be in the forefront, seeking to win others' favor and admiration, to be viewed as a strong, spiritual Christian when this is not the case. The account of Absalom in his stealing the hearts of the people of God away from David, God's choice to be their King, is an excellent lesson in undermining and sowing discord in disregard for God's ordained authority in one's life. David did not make this mistake with Saul. Even while Saul's conduct was despicable, David still remembered God's order. This was done while David was in full knowledge of God having chosen him to be the next King and already being anointed. What a powerful testimony to our trust in God if we today would give God the time to deal with matters in leadership and not get in the way and cause such confusion for our enemy to take advantage of to our collective hurt. The lessons here are clear. David was orderly and was blessed of the Lord. Absalom was impatient, disorderly and self-destructed. That is a very sober lesson!

Needing Outside (of yourself) Help

People in this condition do not realize it. Neither do they readily believe that they could be in it since it is not where they consciously desire to be. So the declaration of the existence of the condition must come from outside themselves. Now we can see just how damaging and weakening the loss of confidence in others is to being delivered from this snare. The longer we have been in it, the lower the influence others have with our thinking. That is just the way Satan designed for it to be. It aids Satan in his efforts to destroy our effectiveness, destroy our testimony, and bring reproach on the name of the Lord and on His doctrine. One in this condition is very likely to initially refuse help of any type that delivers from this condition. One is more likely to feel drawn toward and accept support from everyone that allows them to continue in this condition. This support comes from others that are in a similar condition or are willful in their rebellion against the knowledge of God and His way. Satan knows how to bring "the deceitful kisses of an enemy" to the aid of deceived souls at the appropriate time. At this point, if not before, it becomes obvious to those trying to help that those in deception are opposing themselves.

5. Motivated by the factor of Self-Will

Self-will is not a deceptive thing to saints of God. Self-will is conscious walking in what pleases us while knowing that it is NOT pleasing to the LORD. The willfulness of carnal individuals is usually not deceptive to those young in the faith or "weak". Sad to say, some think that this condition is the only option other than being right with God. Hopefully, the previous section has caused some serious questions to be raised in their minds. If so, it has accomplished its purpose. So in self-will, what should we expect to see?

• Contemn for the Most High — Psalms 10:13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require [it]. Contemn is "harsh intellectual disregard".
• Refusal to deny self or yield members to righteousness
• Seared and hardened conscience
• Delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh
• Perhaps recently or longer in the past, we fainted in our minds and said what else can be lost
• Desire to serve our lusts (eyes, flesh and pride)
• Refuse help of any type that delivers from our condition
• Accept support that allows us to continue in sin

The sober aspect of the previous factor is this. Once one has been confronted and made aware of the deception they are ensnared with currently, they will move to this factor if they refuse to be helped.

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