We have all known people who are loud and always want to be seen with those who are famous or in the limelight. There are times when people automatically attribute authority to someone who speaks the loudest or appears "larger than life". This aspect of false authority has to do with a person's personality. They may come across as strong, opinionated, overbearing, charismatic, articulate and persuasive, threatening or obnoxious. Even though a person or even a group speaks the loudest or the most forcefully, doesn't necessarily mean they have legitimate authority over others. There are many people who are intimidated by such people and therefore succumb to them. They allow them to make decisions and to cause everyone connected with them to move in a certain direction, which may or may not be healthy.
I recall what God's Constitution has to say about such individuals: May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things, who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?”
Now in contrast, true authority is often quiet or even silent. It takes a greater natural authority to lower your volume and still be effective. Often, the greater the true authority that is present, the quieter the atmosphere. "You know you have effective authority when you say nothing or you are very quiet, and people respond positively to you and your influence". By the way, that is a quote by Dr. Munroe.
Jesus had inherent authority. Once, when the religious leaders of His day tried to trap Him, they brought to Him a woman who had been caught in adultery to see if He would agree that she should be stoned to death, which was the punishment according to the law. Then, He quietly asked them one question, which decisively defeated them; and they went away. Now that's authority.
But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."
Remember, being loud doesn't mean you are in the right and have the authorized authority.
Psalm 12:3-4 John 8:6-11
~~W.R. Luchie
I recall what God's Constitution has to say about such individuals: May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things, who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?”
Now in contrast, true authority is often quiet or even silent. It takes a greater natural authority to lower your volume and still be effective. Often, the greater the true authority that is present, the quieter the atmosphere. "You know you have effective authority when you say nothing or you are very quiet, and people respond positively to you and your influence". By the way, that is a quote by Dr. Munroe.
Jesus had inherent authority. Once, when the religious leaders of His day tried to trap Him, they brought to Him a woman who had been caught in adultery to see if He would agree that she should be stoned to death, which was the punishment according to the law. Then, He quietly asked them one question, which decisively defeated them; and they went away. Now that's authority.
But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."
Remember, being loud doesn't mean you are in the right and have the authorized authority.
Psalm 12:3-4 John 8:6-11
~~W.R. Luchie
