Text: Matthew 10:34-39
Memory verse:
“Nevertheless the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭23‬:‭5‬
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I have heard people ask this question, “Must I always obey my parents?” Ignorance of this has put many under the bondage of fear.
Our Lord Himself said, “For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law”
‭‭(Matt 10‬:‭35‬). This means a parent and a child or family members may not always agree. While submission is non-negotiable, a son or daughter may have reasons to disobey his father, mother or both and still not be regarded as violating God’s commandment to honour one’s parents. God has established an organized line of authority in the world to guide us. They are arranged in this order – God’s direct authority, the authority of the Bible, the authority of your conscience and the delegated authority. This means that all delegated authorities must submit to the three higher levels of authority. No one should obey any delegated authority that demands we sin against God, disobey clear bible instructions, or we violate our conscience. This is what the apostles meant in their answer to the Jewish council that commanded them not to teach again in the name of Jesus. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” ‭‭(Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭29‬). God wouldn’t command you to disobey Him in order to obey His representative, neither will He back up the pronouncement of such authority. “… an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.” ‭‭(Prov 26‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬). In fact, God will turn any curse pronounced on you to blessing, if you stand with Him and act in humility to man (Deu 23:5).
Friends, let not the fear of man be a snare to you. Don’t be afraid to respectfully disobey any authority whose commands contradict God’s commands. Only God deserves unquestionable obedience.

Prayer points
1. Father, please help me to stand for You and Your word in the midst of threats in Jesus name.
2. Father, please turn every curse in my life into blessing in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. When I stand for the truth in the midst of threats, God turns curses to blessing for me.
2. I disobey delegated authority when such commands contradict God’s commands but I do it with utmost submission

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng