Rebellion is when you disobey those who are in charge of you. Often in movies, books, shows, or even history, the rebels are the heroes. Every 4th of July the United States celebrates our rebellion against the king of England. But godly rebellion is incredibly rare, and we need to be very careful about it. If you feel like rebelling, make sure you ask yourself:

  1. Why do you want to rebel? We usually rebel for very selfish reasons. Godly rebellion is never selfish.
  2. Who would you be rebelling against? It’s never OK to rebel against God, and He wants us to obey those He has put in charge of us. But, sometimes, in order to obey God we must rebel against the people we should normally follow. If you must choose between obeying God or anyone else, always choose God! 
  3. How should you rebel? If you must rebel, you must do it in a way that honors God. Rebelling for the right reasons but in the wrong way never honors God.

Rebellion is very common, but godly rebellion is very rare. If you must rebel, make sure that your “Why”, “Who”, and “How” are all in line with what God says is right.

Bible Verses:

  • Romans 13:1-2 – Respect authority.
  • Acts 5:29 – Obey God over men.
  • Titus 3:1-2 – Be peaceable and gentle.
  • Daniel 3:16-18 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Family Time Questions:

  • What does it mean to rebel, and why is it usually wrong?
  • Can you think of a time when rebellion might be necessary according to the Bible?
  • How can we ensure our actions honor God even when we feel led to oppose authority?
  • Why is it important to examine our motives when considering rebellion?
  • What are some examples of godly rebellion in the Bible?

Prayer:

“Dear God, help us know when to follow and when to stand up for what’s right. Help us always choose to obey You first and to do it in a way that shows Your love. Thank You for guiding us every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”


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