RETHINKING AUTHORITY IN MODERN LIFE

By Jun P. Espina | 11/10/2025 | 5 min read

LET’S TALK ABOUT AUTHORITY

We don’t have much option in this life but to accept the reality that some have authority over us. In the family setting, for example, the wife seems more authoritative in household affairs, like the budgeting or decorating stuff, reducing the husband to a mere errand. And when left unchecked, the wife will also be tempted to expand her authority over her husband in other domains in the marital union. It is where God said, “You will die, Adam, because you have listened to your wife.” A lesson we must always be mindful of is the need for our full awareness with regard to those controlling our lives.

WHAT ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT’S AUTHORITY?

The Bible says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Prov. 29:2) The Scripture requires no further clarification. It is about the types of people who have authority over us and the rejoicing or suffering that will ensue as they wield their political powers. We either rejoice or mourn, depending on our leaders’ righteousness or wickedness.

Endless vlogs circulate on social media platforms when our people uncover unthinkable corruption and other forms of abuse by public officials. The national political conversations and debates intensify as if the previously apathetic people have awakened from the empty promises of politicians to recognize the shameless abuse and thievery in the government.

But then election time comes, and the already abused people will elect again those who abused them.

As God has said through Ezekiel 18:20, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Another way of saying it is that both the politicians and the people they govern suffer because both of them followed the path of wickedness.

One example of acute wickedness is this: You voted for a mass murderer, and after learning how bad your idol was, you voted for him again for office.

It naturally happens when the heart is wicked and without any love for what is true and moral at all.
 

THEN THE FLOOD CAME

These people who have voted for those morally bankrupt politicians mostly belong to the class of underprivileged citizens, are mostly loud on Facebook, are functionally illiterate, and have no moral compass in any way to guide their behavior. When natural calamities come, just as with a flood that destroys houses, farms, and all forms of livelihood, any dole-out from corrupt politicians becomes their savior for the day, thus allowing an endless loop and dance with corrupt politicians being idolized and the less fortunate majority of the population voting for them again come election day.

WHAT MUST WE DO THEN?

I am not saying that flood victims, for example, should refuse the financial (or whatever) help from evil politicians, since the Bible says, “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:16) Just remember that their financial assistance is a form of bribery from the taxpayer’s money, which they recycled to get a spotlight. You owe them nothing during election season. Don’t be fooled by a culture we call “debt of reciprocity,” for there is no reciprocity with thieves.

THE ONLY AUTHORITY WE NEED

We understand from Scripture that we, as believers, must obey authorities. The apostle Paul states, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.” (Rom. 13:1) Some pastors used this Scripture to justify their support for ex-president Duterte. However, the context of Romans 13 is not empowering a murderer and making him president, but being subject (paying your taxes, for example) during his presidency. “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior.” (Rom. 13:3)

Paul said in Romans 12 (before Romans 13:1, obviously), “Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Rom. 12:9) I say again, the apostle Paul did not say, “Make a mass murderer your president,” but “detest what is evil.” And when that evil candidate becomes president, obey his government to avoid trouble. That’s Paul’s message.

Now, let’s circle back to our topic, “What’s the only authority we need?” The short answer is the Holy Scriptures. As Paul has stated,

The Bible is God’s Word. And it talks about Jesus, who is the Word of God. (cf. John 1:1)

THE EXHORTATIONS WE NEED IN THE LAST DAYS

We have seen flood concerns and corruption issues in our national conversations. What about “wars and rumors of wars”? What about Ukraine or Venezuela? The China aggression? What about those Christians who were massacred by Boko Haram of Nigeria? What about the breaking news of New Yorkers electing as their mayor a jihadist and communist?

We are in the last days. The apostle Paul states, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.” (2 Tim. 3:1)

What we need in the last days is the Word of God, Jesus our Lord. The only Authority we must listen to in the last days.

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