Being Successful Wisdom Regarding Authority The Duties and Qualities of Being In or Under Authority

Being Successful

Wisdom Regarding Authority

The Duties and Qualities of Being In or Under Authority

Have you ever been the person people come to for a decision? 

Have you ever needed someone who could

 understand your situation and give you a confident answer?

Sometimes we find yourselves in a position of authority

(boss, parent, elder, president)

Other times we find ourselves having to submit to authority

(employee, child, citizen)   

Knowledge and understanding are foundational to authority

But wisdom is necessary to carrying out authority

It also takes wisdom to be under authority

Wisdom Regarding Authority

The Duties and Qualities of Being In or Under Authority

Have you ever been the person

people come to for a decision?  

Have you ever needed someone who could

understand your situation and give you a confident answer?

Sometimes we find yourselves in a position

of authority (boss, parent, elder, president).

Other times we find ourselves having to

submit to authority (employee, child, citizen).   

Knowledge and understanding are foundational to authority

but wisdom is necessary to carrying out authority.

It also takes wisdom to be under authority.

Proverbs speaks to the issues of authority in the terms of a

king or prince, but we can easily make application to work,

family, church and other areas where authority is needed.

Throughout life you will be called to

be in authority and under authority.

The question is not whether you like it or not.

The question is how wisely you will handle it.

To be in authority you will have to make judgments.

You will be called to make decisions that

effect those under that authority.

Proverbs 16:10; 25:2

Authority is not for personal benefit, it is to see

justice, things to be made right in that environment.

Proverbs 20:8, 26: 29:4, 14

God expects those in authority to make

judgments and to do it with justice.

  

    Along with the duties of authority there must be qualities…

Righteousness, being right and fair

Proverbs 16:10, 12

Must be free from evil

Must remove evil influencers

Proverbs 25:4, 5

The one in authority must be free from

covetousness, the love of personal things,

rule by anger (a barking dog), creates unrest

Proverbs 28:15, 16

Not influenced by the tool of bribery (Lobbyist)

Proverbs 29:4

Sex and alcohol have been the blame of

leaders failing their role of authority.

Proverbs 31:1-5

Those in authority must be fair and merciful…

To speak for those you cannot speak for themselves

To stand for those who are poor and needy,

who don’t have the power of money and influence.

Proverbs 31:8, 9

Proverbs also gives wisdom to those under authority.

Honor those in authority

The reverence and respect you have for the

Lord you should give those in authority.

Avoid those given to revolution,

undermining authority

Proverbs 24:21, 22

Gain favor and respect of those in authority

Favor brings blessing and avoids anger

Proverbs 16:15; 19:12; 20: 2

The qualities of those under authority…

Wise conduct not shameful

Proverbs 14:35

Honest and truthful speech

Proverbs 16:13

Purity of heart and graceful lips

Proverbs 22:11

Make sure your workmanship

is done with excellence.

 If your work does not show quality,

you will lose respect. 

Proverbs 22:29

Show yourself to be self-controlled

of your passions and appetite.

Proverbs 23:1-3

Humility, let others promote you, don’t let

arrogance be your way, taking what you want.

Proverbs 25:6, 7

Patience and gentleness

are powerful persuaders

Proverbs 25:15

If wisdom is common place in a

nation, business, church, of family…

If authority is fulfilled with

justice and righteous character

And those under authority are respectful

and have character worthy of respect

There will be peace

Wonderful things will

happen for the common good

Walls of division will come down

If you are in a place where authority is

Abused, be the first one to act according to

the wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs.

Scripture Reading

Proverbs 16:10

10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,

and his mouth should not betray justice. NIV

Proverbs 25:2

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;

to search out a matter is the glory of kings. NIV

Proverbs 20:8

8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,

he winnows out all evil with his eyes. NIV

Proverbs 20:25

26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;

he drives the threshing wheel over them. NIV

Proverbs 29:4

4 By justice a king gives a country stability,

but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down. NIV

Proverbs 29:14

14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,

his throne will always be secure. NIV

Proverbs 16:10

10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,

and his mouth should not betray justice. NIV

Proverbs 16:12

12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne

is established through righteousness. NIV

Proverbs 28:15-16

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.

16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment,

but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life. NIV

Proverbs 29:4

4 By justice a king gives a country stability,

but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down. NIV

Proverbs 31:1-5

The sayings of King Lemuel — an oracle his mother taught him:

2 "O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,  

3 do not spend your strength on women,

your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel —

not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,

5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees,

and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. NIV

Proverbs 31:8-9

8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend

the rights of the poor and needy." NIV

Proverbs 24:21-22

21 Fear the LORD and the king, my son,

and do not join with the rebellious,

22 for those two will send sudden destruction upon them,

and who knows what calamities they can bring? NIV

Proverbs 16:15

15 When a king's face brightens, it means life;

his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. NIV

Proverbs 19:12

12 A king's rage is like the roar of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass. NIV

Proverbs 20:2

2 A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion;

he who angers him forfeits his life. NIV

Proverbs 14:35

35 A king delights in a wise servant,

but a shameful servant incurs his wrath. NIV

Proverbs 16:13

13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;

they value a man who speaks the truth. NIV

Proverbs 22:11

11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious

will have the king for his friend. NIV

Proverbs 22:29

29 Do you see a man skilled in his work?

He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. NIV

Proverbs 23:1-3

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,

2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. NIV

Proverbs 25:6-7

6 Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence,

and do not claim a place among great men;

7 it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here,"

than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. NIV

Proverbs 25:15

15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,

and a gentle tongue can break a bone. NIV