What the Bible Says On Civil Disobedience

I Peter 2:17-18, “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.” Titus 3:1, “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,” Yet there are stories in Scripture of civil disobedience. No one is ever required by the Lord to do something illegal or immoral no matter who is over them. A wife does not have to do anything illegal or immoral if her husband tells her to. A child does not have to do anything illegal or immoral if their parents tell them to. The church member does not have to do anything illegal or immoral if their Pastor tells them to and a citizen does not have to do anything illegal or immoral if their government tells them to.


Principles of civil disobedience.

A. Our highest authority is God in Christ.
B. Government is capable of great evil.
C. Submission to governing authorities does not mean uncritical obedience.
D. Laws that are contrary to God's revealed will are to be disobeyed.
E. Disobedience should be non-violent.
F. Those who engage in civil disobedience must be willing to accept consequences.

Personal questions.

A. Would you have defied Hitler's decrees and refused to turn Jewish neighbors over to S.S.
troops?
B. Would you carry Bibles into a country where it was forbidden to possess such?
C. Would you defy the law of military conscription and refuse to participate in war?
D. Would you disobey the law and refuse to pay taxes to a government that was using them
wrongfully or for evil purposes?
E. Would you join a pro-life group defying laws against protest at abortion clinics?
F. Would you disobey the law in order to educate your children in the manner you regard to be
best for them?
G. Would you defy the law and refuse to salute the American flag?
H. If you were a Christian in Cuba today, would you join efforts to overthrow Castro's
government?
I. Would you disobey the law and drive without a seat-belt?
J. If you had a mentally disabled daughter, would you defy the law and have her sterilized to
protect her?