One of the reasons many people don’t experience the power of God in their lives is because they’re not submissive to authority, so they’re ignorant and oblivious of the authority they have in Christ Jesus.
Many years ago, Billy Graham admonished some young ministers along this line with this story: he went to visit a friend at home and his friend asked his son to close the door. “Aw, come on and close it yourself, dad!” the boy replied his father. Shocked, Billy Graham told his friend, “If that was my son, by the time I’m through with him he would go right into the door-closing business.” Billy Graham understood the importance of discipline. No wonder the Spirit could walk with him, using him mightily to bring millions of souls into the Kingdom of God.
Hebrews 13:17 reveals that some people in the church have authority over you in the Lord, and they must be respected and honoured as such. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 also says, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” But when you look around you’ll discover the contrary. Some Christians think they’re smarter than their pastor; they think they know everything and always want to instruct their pastor on how to run the affairs of the church.
There are those God has placed over you in the church, to teach you the way of the Lord. You have to be submissive to them in order to maintain the anointing upon your life because God wouldn’t tolerate rebellion in His house. To live and walk in the power of the Spirit you must have a submissive spirit. This is very important because without it you can’t live in the realm of power.
