Presumption Can Kill You...

(Companion to The Walking Dead)

Any authority or influence that we gain by our own manipulation or self-promotion will be a stumbling block to us, hindering our ability to receive a true commission and authority from God. If we are going to walk in true spiritual authority, like David, we will have to trust-all the way in the Lord to establish us in it, and in His time.  As Peter exhorted, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1Peter 5:6,7, KJV). 

Those who really understand spiritual authority will also have a profound understanding of God's grace. Their greatest fear will be to depart from that place of His grace.  James and Peter understood this, which is why they both emphasized that in 1 Peter 5:5, It is pride that compels us us to go beyond what God has called us to do.

One of the most frequent phrases attributed to King David was" he inquired of the Lord." On the few occasions when David made a major decision without inquiring of the Lord, the consequences were devastating.  It was not just David who suffered  the impending consequences  of his presumption, but the people  who were under his responsibility.  Remember this: the higher the position of authority the more dangerous it is, and  more people are affected by even the seemingly insignificant decisions made by you. @twitter.com

Those who attain prominence before humility will fall, because James 4:6 says, Therefore, if we have Wisdom we will seek humility before position. True authority operates on the grace of God, and the more authority we walk in the more grace we will need.  

We only have true spiritual authority to the degree that the King lives.

 Esther Excellence Ministries