When the Establishment is Wrong
Even when the path isn’t clear, I know whom I’ve seen—and I cannot stay silent.
Devotional Credit: Ray Stedman – Immeasurably More
Photo Credit: Unsplash
In today’s reflection from Ray Stedman, we see Peter and John respectfully standing their ground before religious authorities who demanded silence about Jesus. These apostles weren’t defiant in attitude, but they were unwavering in allegiance. Though the Sanhedrin were the official religious gatekeepers, the apostles recognized a higher call: to remain obedient to the God who had spoken clearly through His Son.
Ray explains that this moment reveals the rightful place of civil disobedience—when earthly commands contradict the revealed will of God. Scripture affirms that governing authorities are established by God (Romans 13), yet this doesn’t mean they are always right. Governments, leaders, and even religious institutions can deviate from God’s truth. When they do, believers are called to obey God rather than man.
The apostles had seen the risen Christ. They were not simply passing along religious ideals—they were bearing witness to the reality of the resurrection. They had heard His voice and seen His wounds. To remain silent would have been disobedience, not only to the command of Christ, but to the love that compelled them. Their civil disobedience wasn’t driven by anger or ideology but by divine conviction rooted in personal relationship.
This devotional invites us to consider the same question: Whose voice holds ultimate sway in our hearts—man's or God's?In an age of loud commands and subtle compromises, the Spirit reminds us that obedience to God may sometimes mean defying the expectations of men, but never in a spirit of rebellion—always in the spirit of Christ.
Personalized Journal Entry — Voice of the Holy Spirit
You are not called to rebellion, but to allegiance. When the voices of this world demand your silence, I remind you of what you’ve seen and heard. I have opened your eyes to the truth, and the truth is not negotiable. The life of My Son in you compels witness, not just in words but in posture, in choices, in courage.
Governments may rise and fall, and laws may shift like sand, but My word stands forever. I am the One who placed governing authorities in their positions, and I am also the One who gives you discernment to know when those authorities speak against My will. When My Spirit in you confirms what is right, walk in it—even if the path is narrow, even if others call it defiance. It is not disobedience when your heart is bowed to Me.
Let your courage be clothed in humility, not brashness. Let your voice tremble with compassion, not contempt. You are not here to tear down, but to stand—firmly, graciously, unshakably. You speak what you know. You cannot be silent, not because of duty, but because of love. You belong to Me, and I have placed My word within you.
Scriptures: Acts 4:19–20; Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17; Isaiah 40:8
Real-Life Analogy
It’s like trying to hold your breath in a room full of smoke—your lungs eventually override your will. No matter how long you try to resist, your body demands to breathe. In the same way, the Spirit of Christ within you will not be suppressed. When you’ve tasted the truth and seen His glory, silence becomes suffocating. You must speak—not to prove a point, but to inhale the life that is Christ in you.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You for giving me a conscience formed by Your Word and a heart led by Your Spirit. I affirm that You alone are the final authority over my life. When human commands contradict Your truth, I rest in the wisdom You’ve already given and the life You’ve placed within me. I trust You to guide my voice, my choices, and my posture in this world. I rejoice that I am free to obey You—not out of fear, but out of love. Your Spirit in me cannot be silenced, and I will walk in the life You’ve given, no matter the cost.