Abuse of Spiritual Authority

Conitnuing our study on Spiritual authority.

We are called to represent the Spirit’s will to each other--not to substitute for Him or replace His work. Mutual subjection is not a license to probe into the intimate affairs of our brethren. Nowhere does the Bible give Christians liberty to quiz brethren on financial investments, or how they make love to their wives. This kind of unnecessary probing in the name of accountability is what authoritarian cults are made of. A believer should willingly confide. This is a choice, not a duty.

The Bible puts a high premium on individual Christian liberty, freedom and privacy.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

James 4:11-12 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

As Christians , we are not to be busybodies.

1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

Unless there is good reason to suspect a brother is in sin, it is unchristian to poke and pry into their domestic affairs. Mutual subjection to divine authority is not control but aid. It is not official, legal, or mechanical but functional.

The Cost.
Mutual subjection is not morally relative, tolerant egalitarianism. Receiving correction, and reproof from others is difficult. That is why is serves as an antidote to the flesh. Exercising divine authority is also difficult. The task of reproving others is not fun but risky. It is far easier to let things go and just pray, than to lovingly confront.