Question: Why do you resist the ordinances of men as is stated in Romans 13:1-5. And speak evil of dignitaries which is outlined in 2 Peter 2:8-13 which is condemned by God’s word but yet claim to speak for God?
Donald Bohanon: 2 Peter 2:8-22 is primarily in the context of those who walk after the flesh in lust of uncleanness, having eyes full of adultery and cannot cease from sin, who despise church government ( as it relates to God’s doctrine/law which is the foundation for his government, church/spiritual body) and speak evil against church or spiritual dignitaries.
The reference to having eyes full of adultery is in relation to despising or rebelling against that doctrine/law/government. One point of which condemns adultery. It’s also important to note that exposing evil and calling it what it is, and speaking out against the evil of rulers and political figures is different than speaking evil of rulers or political figures, etc. I’m exposing the evil something I’m commanded to do Ephesians 5:10-13, 2 Timothy 4:2, as opposed to speaking evil of individuals. There’s a difference. Evil that if gone unchecked or unopposed can have disastrous physical and spiritual consequences on a massive scale.
John the baptist spoke out against the lawlessness of King Herod Matthew 14:4. Was he dishonoring the King or disobeying God or his word in doing so? Christ also spoke out against exposed and condemned the evil and hypocrisy of the Pharisee and the Scribes Matthew 23:13-33.
The truth of the matter is after instructing the people to do what the Pharisee say, but not to do as they do, Christ went on to strongly rebuke and reprove the Pharisee and the Scribes and condemn them for their evil and hypocrisy and informed them there would be a consequence, condemnation and destruction, for their evil behavior.
The strong rebuke went as far as Christ referring to them as fools, hypocrites, serpents and vipers. Christ was exposing their evil and calling them what they were, very evil and corrupt men. Matthew 23:13-33. Christ was not speaking evil of these religious dignitaries of that day. Which would amount to falsely accusing them or saying things that were not true.
He was exposing their evil, speaking the truth and calling them what they were, corrupt and evil men. Two completely different things. Speaking the truth about or exposing an individuals open and obvious evil, or hidden evil, can never be defined or mistaken for speaking evil of an individual. Especially when it’s commanded by God and when the spiritually and physically destructive abominable evil is being promoted and broadcast as truth, ,good and righteous.
Was Christ disobeying the word of God by doing so? Did Elijah the prophet dishonor the King and sin against God by informing the King of his sin? 1 Kings 18:17-18. Did Shadrach Meshach and Abednego dishonor the King or disobey God by resisting the ordinance of the King? Daniel 3:12-30. Did the prophet Daniel dishonor the King or disobey God and his word by resisting the Kings ordinance? Daniel 6. The answer is absolutely not! The truth of the matter is God’s prophets and servants when necessary and under God’s command have been reproving and rebuking Kings and rulers for their sins in an effort to avert their destruction since the beginning of man. From Moses to Samuel to Elijah,etc.
And they are still required to do so today. The servants of God are commanded to expose and rebuke evil with all longsuffering and doctrine on all levels Ephesians 5:10-13, 2 Timothy 4:2 . And to judge righteous judgment John 7:24. Whether it be the evil of rulers or the common man. Rulers and Kings are not above God’s reproach and correction. Resisting the powers of men in Romans 13:1-5 is in relation to breaking the established laws of the land. Something no Christian should do unless of course those laws conflict with the laws and word of God.
The resisting of the power mentioned in Romans 13:1-5 is not in the context of speaking out against evil or exposing evil on all levels. Something that all Christians are commanded to do Ephesians 5:10-13, 2 Timothy 4:2. But it is in the context of obeying and not breaking the laws of men as long as those laws don’t conflict with the laws and word of God. The bible is full of examples of God’s servants exposing and rebuking the evil of both Kings and common men alike.
Anyone who is teaching you that Christians are to keep silent in the face of growing evil and not speak out against it or expose it is misinterpreting the bible and taking verses out of context as opposed to allowing the bible to interpret itself. To put it in it’s proper context the bible requires that God’s servants pray for those in leadership, but reprove and rebuke them when necessary as well.
Especially when millions of physical and spiritual lives are at stake. I also think it’s important for self proclaimed ministers of God (especially those who claim to be the heads of the only Churches of God which I’m in total disagreement with) to have a thorough understanding of God’s word before you broadcast misinterpreted verses to millions worldwide, mistakenly misinterpreted as correct interpretations of God’s word. You’re a head of one of the Churches Of God and broadcasting information to millions worldwide and you can’t properly interpret basic bible verses?!