Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough—the balance between respecting authority and remaining faithful to what God commands. This isn’t a philosophical debate; it’s a real, everyday challenge. It’s a subject that makes people squirm because nobody wants to think too hard about the idea that God might actually be in control of everything, including the government. And yet, here we are, smack dab in the middle of a world where politicians seem to get more corrupt, laws seem more unjust, and faith feels harder to live out. So how do we juggle this? What’s the right move when the powers that be are telling you to do one thing, but God’s Word is telling you to do another? Is there a way to live in both worlds? Spoiler alert: There is. But it’s not going to be easy.

The Bible says it plainly: God puts rulers in power. Romans 13:1 says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Now, if you’re like me, this might raise a few eyebrows. Wait a minute—God put these people in power? Yep. That’s what it says. It doesn’t mean God endorses every politician’s behavior or every law they pass. But it does mean that God allows leaders to rise to power for reasons that are bigger than us. We may not see the whole picture, but God does. He’s the one with the plan, not us.

That doesn’t mean you just go along with whatever the government says. Remember Peter in the book of Acts? The authorities told him to stop preaching about Jesus. And what was his response? Acts 5:29 says it perfectly: “We must obey God rather than men!” There it is, the dividing line. When the government tells you to do something that directly contradicts what God has commanded, your allegiance is clear: you obey God.

Now, let’s not get this twisted. This isn’t an excuse to rebel against every government decision you don’t like. Scripture also calls us to live in peace as much as possible. First Peter 2:13-14 says, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by Him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” This was written in a time when the Roman government was anything but godly. Yet Peter’s telling believers to submit. Why? Because ultimately, our submission to authority is part of our submission to God.

But there’s a line, and it’s drawn when the laws of man violate the laws of God. You don’t stop preaching Christ just because the government says so. You don’t deny your faith just to fit in with some new legislation. Daniel’s a prime example of this. The king told him to stop praying to God. Daniel said, “Nope,” and continued praying three times a day as usual, even with the threat of being tossed into the lion’s den. And guess what? God had his back. Daniel was thrown into the den, but God shut the mouths of the lions. God didn’t just rescue Daniel; He made it clear that no human king has power over His faithful servant.

This doesn’t mean you won’t face consequences. The apostles, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—they all faced consequences for their obedience to God over man. But God doesn’t abandon His people. He may allow us to suffer for standing firm in faith, but that suffering has a purpose. First Peter 3:14 reminds us, “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” If you’re afraid of what the government might do to you because of your obedience to God, remember this: the worst they can do is temporary. God’s kingdom is eternal.

So, we’re stuck with this tension. On the one hand, we’re called to respect governing authorities because God allowed them to be in place. On the other hand, when those authorities demand something contrary to God’s Word, we don’t bend. It’s not a comfortable position, but who said faith was supposed to be comfortable? If you’re looking for comfort, you’re in the wrong place. Christ didn’t come to make your life easy. He came to transform you, and that process is going to involve some hard decisions.

Let’s talk about what happens when you face those decisions. The easy way out is to go with the flow, blend in with the culture, and keep your head down. But is that really obedience? Is that really faith? Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). Following Christ means sacrifice. It means standing for what’s right, even when it costs you something. Maybe that’s your reputation. Maybe it’s your comfort. Maybe it’s your freedom. But whatever it costs, it’s nothing compared to the reward of knowing you’ve remained faithful to God.

Take a minute and look at Jesus Himself. He lived under Roman rule, and it wasn’t exactly a picnic. Yet He didn’t start a political revolt. He didn’t try to overthrow the government. Why? Because His kingdom isn’t of this world. He was laser-focused on the bigger picture: salvation. And here’s the kicker—He obeyed the Father perfectly, even when it led Him to the cross. He submitted to the authorities up until the point where it meant compromising God’s plan. Then, He obeyed God, and it cost Him everything. That’s what true obedience looks like. It’s not blind submission to the government or an excuse to rebel at every turn. It’s the hard work of knowing when to submit and when to stand, even if it costs you.

The tricky part is discernment. It’s easy to justify rebellion when you don’t like something, but rebellion isn’t always righteous. You’ve got to ask yourself, “Is this law or command forcing me to sin? Is it requiring me to disobey a clear command from God?” If the answer is yes, then your course of action is simple: you obey God rather than men. But if the answer is no, if the government is just being inconvenient or unfair without directly opposing God’s Word, then your response is submission.

This doesn’t mean you sit back and accept injustice. On the contrary, Christians are called to stand for what’s right. But there’s a way to do it that honors God and doesn’t devolve into chaos. Look at how Paul handled his trials before Roman governors. He didn’t storm out or incite violence. He stood firm, testified to the truth, and used the legal system to appeal his case. He respected the authorities even as he proclaimed the truth of Christ. And in doing so, he advanced the gospel.

Finally, don’t forget about prayer. First Timothy 2:1-2 urges us to pray for our leaders. Not because they’re perfect, but because they need wisdom—and because we need to trust that God is working through them, even when it doesn’t look like it. Remember, the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord (Proverbs 21:1). You may not like the person in charge, but God’s got the ultimate control.

This is where faith meets reality. We don’t always know why God allows certain leaders to rise to power, but we do know that He is sovereign. It’s not our job to figure out every detail. It’s our job to trust Him, obey Him, and be faithful no matter what. So, the next time you’re frustrated with the government or confused about a new law, ask yourself where your true allegiance lies. Is it to a political party or to the kingdom of God? And when push comes to shove, will you stand for what’s right, even if it costs you?

That’s where we land. Respect authority, but don’t compromise your faith. Obey the law, but never at the expense of disobeying God. And when the line gets crossed, stand firm, knowing that your reward isn’t here—it’s with your Father in heaven.