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Human history is littered with atrocities that often boggle the mind and leave the following generations thinking that they would never be part of that type of evil.  One of the examples that often stick out in people’s minds is Nazi Germany and the evils committed during the holocaust.  What came out in the trials that followed is that these people that toed the line and committed these senseless tortures and murders of people who were once friends and neighbors were not looking to be part of this massive movement of evil in the world nor did they think of themselves as agents of evil.

As long as these types of situations have been a part of history, people have looked for ways to explain what would possibly cause seemingly “normal” people to obey authorities to this extent and to betray even their own families to the gestapo, and perhaps more importantly to gain some insight into how to prevent such atrocities in the future.  Multiple studies have been conducted to try to understand how situations are created that allow for this type of behavior, which have lead to many theories of how people can be manipulated, even to the point that they release the chemicals to kill thousands of Jews in gas chambers.  Those theories and explanations are worth a discussion, perhaps in a later post, so people can be aware of how propaganda, control of the media, prejudices, fear, nationalism, and the “greater good” (starting to sound like a familiar climate) can lead to such things.  But I think even more important is understanding how we combat the idea of just blindly following orders. Like the Jean-Luc Picard quote above (yes, I’m a trekkie) “the claim ‘I was only following orders’ has been used to justify too many tragedies in our history”. 

The main way, really the only way, we can guard ourselves from being swept up in all the opposing viewpoints and any misinformation around us is to of course be grounded in the word of God.  As the saying goes, if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.  If we truly desire to follow Jesus and he is our ultimate authority, we need to be firmly rooted in the word.  People who work in public service, who are often in the middle of dangerous situations, or in our military, are well trained so that when they are confronted with such situations, that training kicks in and their brains and muscles instinctively know how to react.  It doesn’t mean mistakes can’t be made, but good training is a way to decrease the risk of something going wrong.  If we do the hard work of making sure we are well trained in the word and the correct interpretation and application of it, we are less likely to look to worldly authorities to tell us how we should think and feel.  We are less likely to fall for the deceptions and distractions of the enemy.

Paul takes time in 2 Timothy encouraging him to stay true to the scriptures and the ministry he has been called to telling him to “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV)  and he tells him that “all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV). 

Don’t get me wrong, we are not excused to disobey authorities in our lives in this world simply because we personally don’t agree, or because our comfort is threatened. Paul was also clear about how even civil authorities are only in power because God allows it.  In Romans chapter 13 verses 1-2 he writes “everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Quickly jumping on a bandwagon of bucking the system just for the sake of bucking the system, protecting our comfort or pride without taking the time to seek God’s heart on the issue is foolishness.

It’s clear though that our ultimate authority is God and his word that he has given to us.  And there are times when that ultimate authority is tested.  When “just following orders” and toeing the line is in complete, or even partial, opposition with scripture.  But how will we ever know when the culture and authorities in our lives are telling us to be a part of something that clearly isn’t part of God’s direction?  We are told to meditate on His word, day and night and that type of devotion to knowing Him and his word softens our hearts and allows us to hear His spirit, to rightly divide the word and know how to correctly apply it in our lives. There is also something mysterious and wonderful about how we are told to meditate on the word. When people take the time to prayerfully reflect on a situation, to honestly seek God and search His word, He does speak. And, yes, there are times when men (and women) of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders, but there are times that we must obey the authorities placed over us, even if we do not know how God is working behind the scenes, and remember that sometimes the biggest battle is trusting that God loves us and will care for us regardless of the situation. 

I believe there may be times ahead, and even now when the answers to some very difficult questions are not, at least at first glance, very clear.  And when it’s sometimes difficult to trust that God has a plan and that NOTHING ever happens that He is not completely aware of and allows.  We are fortunate and blessed to live in a country where there are many avenues and freedoms that are available to us when we do need to take action.  But any action needs to be directed by and carried out in concert with the Holy Spirit.  Likewise, any compliance and obedience needs to also be in obedience to the Lord and in compliance with his word, and always, always done in love for the furtherance of His kingdom. 

So would you commit with me to picking our battles well, and to seek to know Him better?