Obeying Man
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Introduction:
The concept of obeying man, within the context of the Bible, involves understanding the balance between human authority and divine authority. Scripture provides guidance on when and how believers are to submit to human authorities, while also emphasizing the supremacy of God's commandments.

Biblical Foundation:
The Bible acknowledges the role of human authority and the importance of obedience to it, as long as it does not conflict with God's laws. Romans 13:1-2 states, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

Obedience to Government:
Scripture instructs believers to respect and obey governmental authorities. This is seen as part of God's order for maintaining peace and justice in society. 1 Peter 2:13-14 advises, "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent by him to punish evildoers and praise well-doers."

Obedience in the Workplace:
The Bible also addresses obedience in the context of work. Colossians 3:22 instructs, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord." While the term "slaves" reflects the historical context, the principle extends to modern employee-employer relationships, emphasizing integrity and respect.

Obedience in the Family:
Family structures are another area where obedience is highlighted. Ephesians 6:1-3 states, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (which is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.'" This passage underscores the importance of familial respect and the blessings associated with it.

Limits of Obedience:
While the Bible encourages obedience to human authorities, it also sets clear boundaries. Acts 5:29 records the apostles' response to being forbidden to preach in Jesus' name: "But Peter and the other apostles replied, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" This highlights the principle that God's commands take precedence over human directives when the two are in conflict.

Examples of Obedience and Disobedience:
The Bible provides numerous examples of both obedience and disobedience to human authority. Daniel's refusal to cease praying to God, despite the king's edict (Daniel 6), and the Hebrew midwives' defiance of Pharaoh's order to kill Hebrew male infants (Exodus 1:15-21) are instances where obedience to God was prioritized over human commands.

Conclusion:
The biblical teaching on obeying man is nuanced, recognizing the legitimacy of human authority while affirming the ultimate authority of God. Believers are called to navigate this balance with wisdom, ensuring that their obedience to human institutions aligns with their higher allegiance to God's will.
Topical Bible Verses
Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Topicalbible.org

Library

The Blessedness of Obeying God's Word.
... THE BLESSEDNESS OF OBEYING GOD'S WORD. ... When a young man, by his good deportment,
is gaining a fair name, mothers, when together, will remark, "It is blessed to ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/the blessedness of obeying gods.htm

Next Let not Man, Now that He Knoweth that by the Grace of God...
... Next let not man, now that he knoweth that by the grace of God he is what ... prefer
this thing to that thing; yet let not this or that virgin, obeying and fearing ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/of holy virginity /section 44 next let not.htm

The Nature of Man.
... [604] For as man, disobeying, drew death upon himself; so, obeying the will of God,
he who desires is able to procure for himself life everlasting. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxvii the nature of man.htm

The Common Conception among the Dregs of Darwinian Culture is that ...
... On the contrary, the military spirit means, if anything, obeying the weakest and
stupidest man, obeying him merely because he is a man, and not a thousand men. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 15 the common conception.htm

Whether one Man is Bound to Obey Another?
... Reply to Objection 1: God left man in the hand of his own counsel, not as ... own counsel
in doing other things, so too has he in the point of obeying his superiors ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one man is bound.htm

Argument for the Resurrection from the Purpose Contemplated in ...
... to the first and more general view of the subject, God made man for Himself ... that,
recognising their own Maker, and His power and skill, and obeying law and ...
/.../chapter xii argument for the resurrection.htm

Some Man May Say: "If There be not in the Dead any Care For...
... that Moses and the Prophets are here, that is, their books, by obeying which men
should escape the torments of hell: and knew, in short, that rich man to have ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /17 some man may say .htm

Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
... Is this justice? Though man has lost his power of obeying, God has not lost
his right of commanding. If a master entrusts a servant ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/3 1 mans inability to keep.htm

Forasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race...
... Therefore the first natural bond of human society is man and wife ... such intercourse,
a certain friendly and true union of the one ruling, and the other obeying. ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 1 forasmuch as each.htm

But when that Man of Thine, Simplicianus, Related to Me this of ...
... But when that man of Thine, Simplicianus, related to me this of Victorinus, I ... forbidden
to teach the liberal sciences or oratory; and how he, obeying this law ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter v but when that.htm

Resources
What does it mean to honor my father and mother? | GotQuestions.org

What is Christian Rationalism? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Mount Gerizim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Obeying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Obeying

Obeying God

Obeying Man

Obeying Parents

Obeying the Law

Related Terms

Obeys (17 Occurrences)

Obey (219 Occurrences)

Obedience (61 Occurrences)

Under (4325 Occurrences)

Unlike (13 Occurrences)

Upright (392 Occurrences)

Unfeigned (5 Occurrences)

Uruah

Uriah (33 Occurrences)

Obeyeth (6 Occurrences)

Whoring (17 Occurrences)

Flown (2 Occurrences)

Theu'das (1 Occurrence)

Eager (43 Occurrences)

Member (20 Occurrences)

Motive (3 Occurrences)

Played (50 Occurrences)

Prostituted (6 Occurrences)

Precepts (40 Occurrences)

Bidding (13 Occurrences)

Chelod

Acceptance (24 Occurrences)

Amasa (13 Occurrences)

Anxiety (24 Occurrences)

Scoffers (12 Occurrences)

Simply (27 Occurrences)

Simplicity (12 Occurrences)

Covenant (309 Occurrences)

Quotations

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Burnt-offerings (86 Occurrences)

Please (324 Occurrences)

Westward (35 Occurrences)

Earthly (39 Occurrences)

Prostitute (83 Occurrences)

Passions (26 Occurrences)

Pure (160 Occurrences)

Slaves (119 Occurrences)

Worshiped (83 Occurrences)

Age-during (167 Occurrences)

Conscience (36 Occurrences)

Worshipped (81 Occurrences)

Orders (736 Occurrences)

Delight (213 Occurrences)

Rams (81 Occurrences)

Fulfil (60 Occurrences)

Walked (178 Occurrences)

Bowed (150 Occurrences)

Sayings (134 Occurrences)

Respect (204 Occurrences)

True (305 Occurrences)

Astray (116 Occurrences)

Fulfill (80 Occurrences)

Stephen (13 Occurrences)

Sodomite (1 Occurrence)

Sacrifices (186 Occurrences)

Declared (261 Occurrences)

Wherein (208 Occurrences)

Angels (99 Occurrences)

Bow (248 Occurrences)

Fat (150 Occurrences)

Epistles (2 Occurrences)

Hosea (6 Occurrences)

Apostles (79 Occurrences)

Law (670 Occurrences)

Acts (271 Occurrences)

Hearkened (171 Occurrences)

Gods (310 Occurrences)

Messenger (235 Occurrences)

Harlot (87 Occurrences)

Lord's (548 Occurrences)

Hearken (253 Occurrences)

Judges (117 Occurrences)

Samuel (129 Occurrences)

John (154 Occurrences)

Tabeel (2 Occurrences)

Obeying God
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