When Government Is Evil

When Government Is Evil : 

What is the Christian to do? When Government Is Evil

Points to Ponder : 

Points to Ponder Is it ever right to disobey the government? What must a Christian do if God’s laws conflict with man’s laws? What application does this have today?

When Government is Evil : 

When Government is Evil Civil Government was first established by man but allowed to exist because God uses it. Because it is a manmade institution it will fall short of what God expects. God’s people may be seen as enemies of the state because they hold God’s laws higher than man’s laws. Human history has many examples of God’s people being persecuted.

What Are God’s People To Do? : 

What Are God’s People To Do? Protest and go on marches? Carry banners and riot? Try to overthrow the government? Speak evil of the rulers? What did the people of the bible do?

What Are God’s People To Do? : 

What Are God’s People To Do? First things first . . . We should pray for our rulers that peace might prevail. 1Timothy 2:1 -2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

What Are God’s People To Do? : 

What Are God’s People To Do? First things first . . . Next we should submit in as much as God allows. Romans 13:5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. Unless man’s laws come into conflict with God’s laws we must always obey the Civil Government.

What Are God’s People To Do? : 

What Are God’s People To Do? First things first . . . 1Peter 2:13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--

What Are God’s People To Do? : 

What Are God’s People To Do? But what if our government makes laws that violate the laws of God? What did people in the Bible do? What can we learn from their examples? God’s people have often found themselves facing governments that impose rules which are against the laws of God.

What Are God’s People To Do? : 

What Are God’s People To Do? But what if our government makes laws that violate the laws of God? Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Joseph in Egypt : 

Joseph in Egypt Joseph is unjustly sold into Egypt by his brothers. He is falsely accused of immorality. He is thrown in prison. God blesses Joseph Joseph does not rebel against the government. Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Lessons from Joseph : 

Lessons from Joseph What can we learn from Joseph? God’s will always takes precedent over man’s will. God’s providence is at work even when we can not see it. Life is not always fair! Our job is to remain faithful. We may be persecuted for our faith.

Daniel in Babylon : 

Daniel in Babylon Daniel as a youth. Had been taken captive by a foreign government. Babylon was sophisticated but also evil and pagan. Daniel could have given up his godly values and principles. Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel in Babylon : 

Daniel in Babylon Daniel as a an adult. God blessed Daniel and others became jealous. A law is made: only the king of Babylon can be worshiped. Daniel obeys God instead. He only disobeys when mans’ law violates God’s law. Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

Lessons from Daniel : 

Lessons from Daniel What can we learn from Daniel? God’s will always takes precedent over man’s will. God’s providence is at work even when we can not see it. Life is not always fair! Our job is to remain faithful. We may be persecuted for our faith.

The Three Hebrew Children : 

The Three Hebrew Children Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego Are in captivity along with Daniel in Babylon. Nebuchnazzer makes a decree that all must worship an idol. The three Hebrew children refuse to compromise. Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 "But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

Lessons from the Three Children : 

Lessons from the Three Children What can we learn from these 3 men? God’s will always takes precedent over man’s will. God’s providence is at work even when we can not see it. Life is not always fair! Our job is to remain faithful. We may be persecuted for our faith.

Peter and John in Prison : 

Peter and John in Prison Peter and John are preaching the resurrection. The rulers command them to stop preaching. The apostles are thrown in prison. Acts 4:18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.“

Peter and John in Prison : 

Peter and John in Prison Acts 5:40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Lessons from Peter and John : 

Lessons from Peter and John What can we learn from Peter and John? God’s will always takes precedent over man’s will. God’s providence is at work even when we can not see it. Life is not always fair! Our job is to remain faithful. We may be persecuted for our faith.

Paul and Silas in Prison : 

Paul and Silas in Prison Paul and Silas receive the “Macedonian Call” They travel to Philippi and begin preaching. They are beaten and thrown in prison. Acts16:23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 ¶ But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Conclusion : 

Conclusion What can we learn? Christians must obey the government as long as government’s laws do not violate God’s laws. Christians must pray for their government even when they are evil. Christians must submit to their government and set a good example. Christians must hold on to their faith even when persecuted.

Study Questions : 

Study Questions What are two major duties of Christians toward their government? Is it ever right to disobey our government? What are we to do if God’s laws come in conflict with man’s laws? Is life always fair? What did Paul and Silas do when they were in prison?