Spiritual Submission
I have written blogs about spiritual prayer and developing spiritual vision. Now I want to address what I believe to be the key element to the spiritual life, spiritual submission. Your greatest spiritual victories are tied to developing the ability to submit to spiritual authority. The focal passage for this study features an amazing encounter between David and Saul. “And the men of David said to him, here is the day of which the LORD has said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’ Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. And afterwards David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, ‘The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD anointed, to put out my hand against him seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.’ So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went his way.” 1 Samuel 24:4-7.
To understand David’s situation and what it has to do with spiritual submission, you need to know that David has been anointed to be the next king of Israel. The problem is Saul still rules as king of Israel and Saul has been seeking to kill David and remove his ability to become the next king of Israel. The passage we read earlier involves king Saul finding a cave where he can relieve himself. This is a most vulnerable moment for Saul, and a highly opportune one for David. This is also not a one time occurrence for David. In chapter 26 of 1 Samuel, David has a similar opportunity to slay Saul, and does not take it.
Other blogs will deal with the example of David and what submission to spiritual authority looks like, but for this one, I want to emphasize the heart of David and his recognition of spiritual authority. To truly live and pray in a spiritual manner, we must understand the necessity and role of submission to spiritual authority. Submission to spiritual authority is the act of learning to control your spirit. We reject spiritual authority because we have our own will and desire. When spiritual authority lines us with what we want, submission is an easy thing. However, when spiritual authority crosses with our desires, submission becomes a difficult thing. Learning to control your spirit is key to spiritual growth. “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32. Paul points out that one of the fruits of the Spirit is self control (Galatians 5:22). Without self-control there is not submission of our will for God’s will.
The first step in understanding and submitting to spiritual authority is to recognize that all authority is spiritual and controlled by God. Jesus gives a short preamble to the Great Co-Mission at the end of Matthew. Matthew writes, “And Jesus came and said the them, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Me.’” Matthew 28:18. Jesus makes it clear that He has all authority. All other spiritual authorities are established because they operate as minor authorities under the overarching authority of Jesus. Paul argues the same thing as he encourages us to live under authorities. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Romans 13:1-2
David’s heart is clearly on display in the previous passage. He is struck in his heart, not by striking Saul, but by cutting the corner of his robe off. This one act, which is minor when compared with taking the life of the king, still causes David’s heart to grieve. Why? Because David’s heart is in submission to God as his spiritual authority. This act of defiance against the authority God has set up wounds David’s heart because he is rebelling against God. We know that David was a man after God’s own heart, but notice that Saul was a man after his own heart.
The prophet Isaiah predicts the downfall of the king of Babylon, but in doing so, he references the fall of Satan. Here is what he says, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God. I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:13-14. Five times the phrase “I will” is used in these two verses. Every “I will” is a rejection of God’s will for prideful self. James urges us not say what we will or will not do, but to speak of what God’s will would be in the matter. (James 4:13-16).
To live with spiritual sight and pray with spiritual power, your spirit must recognize the authority of the Holy Spirit. It must recognize that all authority is God’s authority and He appoints as He sees fit.