Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…” — Hebrews 13:17 (KJV)
There are some scriptures that carry weight, wisdom, and warning all at once—and Hebrews 13:17 is one of them.
It is a command, a covenant pathway, and a spiritual safety system designed by God to keep His children from deception, derailment, and destruction.
Today, let’s open this scripture and see what God is really saying.
1. SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY IS GOD’S GIFT—NOT MAN’S IDEA
Many believers forget that pastors, shepherds, and spiritual leaders are divinely appointed, not self-appointed.
📖 Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV)
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart…”
A pastor is God’s heart walking toward you.
Submission to spiritual authority is not slavery—
It is alignment with divine order.
God never intended His children to walk through life under self-guidance or spiritual guesswork.
He placed shepherds to watch over your soul.
2. “OBEY” AND “SUBMIT” ARE NOT THE SAME THING
A lot of people obey but do not submit—and God sees the difference.
Obedience = Doing what your pastor instructs.
Submission = Having the right posture while doing it.
You can obey with a wrong heart.
You can follow instructions with hidden arguments.
You can attend church but resist guidance.
📖 1 Peter 5:5 (AMP)
“…be subject to your elders… all of you, clothe yourselves with humility…”
Submission is a heart posture.
Obedience is an action.
God wants both.
3. WHY DID GOD obeying-spiritual-authority-the-pathway-to-safety-and-supernatural-advancement A WARNING TO THIS SCRIPTURE?
“…for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…”
Pastors will answer to God for the oversight of your soul.
But YOU will answer to God for how you responded to their leadership.
When you resist the pastor God sent, you are not resisting a man—
You are resisting the God who sent him.
📖 Luke 10:16 (KJV)
“He that heareth you heareth me…”
That is why spiritual rebellion is dangerous—it disconnects you from divine flow.
4. SUBMISSION MAKES YOUR SHEPHERD’S WORK A JOY—NOT A BURDEN
“…that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
This is one of the heaviest warnings in the New Testament.
When you make spiritual oversight difficult,
the Bible says the negative consequences fall back on you, not the pastor.
A grieving pastor is a closed spiritual gate.
A joyful pastor is an open spiritual gate.
Your posture affects your blessing.
5. OBEDIENCE TO AUTHORITY IS A SPIRITUAL COVERING
Spiritual authority is not control—
It is covering, protection, direction, and preservation.
📖 Psalm 23:1 (KJV)
“The LORD is my shepherd…” — but He expresses His Shepherdhood through earthly shepherds.
📖 Isaiah 30:21
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you… saying, This is the way, walk in it.”
You hear God more clearly when you are properly aligned with the shepherd He placed over you.
Rebellion invites confusion.
Submission invites clarity.
6. GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO HONOUR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
Every believer who grows, rises, and makes impact has one thing in common:
They are submitted.
Submission accelerates destiny.
Submission multiplies grace.
Submission provokes divine assistance.
📖 Hebrews 6:12
“…follow them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
Following well releases grace to become all God designed you to be.
CONCLUSION: YOUR DESTINY IS SAFEST UNDER GOD-ORDAINED AUTHORITY
Hebrews 13:17 is not a suggestion.
It is a divine protocol for:
• Safety
• Growth
• Clarity
• Prosperity
• Preservation
• Spiritual advancement
Stay under your God-given shepherd.
Follow with humility.
Obey with joy.
Submit with honour.
It will be profitable for you—both now and eternally.
SALVATION PRAYER
If you’re reading this and you’re not born again, say this from your heart:
“Lord Jesus, I come to You today.
I believe You died for me and rose again.
Forgive my sins, wash me clean, and make me Yours.
I confess You as my Lord and Saviour.
Thank You for saving me.
Amen.”
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The Message Bearer (SmilingPreacher). Cornelius Bella
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