Craig T. Owens

During our prayer time yesterday, I was contemplating the Apostle Peter’s instruction to, “Fear God, and respect the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

• How do I respect the king (or the other elected officials in my city, state, and country)?
• Does respect mean saying “yes” to every law that’s passed?
• Can I be respectful and still disagree with those in elected office? How?

During our hour of prayer at the church last night, I was really wrestling with how I as a Christian should show respect to those in authority in our governments. Here are the nine things the Holy Spirit showed me.

I can show respect to those in authority by:

1. Not forgetting that God placed them in their office (Daniel 4:25).
2. Praying for them regularly (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
3. Obeying all laws that aren’t immoral (Luke 20:25; Acts 5:29).
4. Disobeying laws that are immoral (Esther 4:16; Acts 4:19).
5. Holding them to biblical standards (Proverbs 8:15).
6. Insisting they uphold the United States Constitution (Ecclesiastes 8:2).
7. Reminding them that God’s wisdom is the ultimate standard (Proverbs 8:22-23).
8. Requiring them to honor their promises, unless those promises conflict with God’s Word or the Constitution (Esther 1:13; 8:8).
9. Speak to and about them without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14-15).

(Check out all of the above passages by clicking here.)

I’m working on living these out. What do you think?