The Christian and Civil Disobedience

The relationship between the Christian believer and governing authorities is a subject of profound biblical instruction, yet it often presents a complex ethical dilemma, particularly when the laws of man appear to conflict with the commands of God. How should a Christian navigate such a tension? Is civil disobedience ever justifiable for the follower of Christ? The Holy Scriptures, specifically the King James Version, provide clear principles that guide us in this crucial matter, emphasizing both submission to earthly rule and paramount obedience to the Divine Sovereign.

The Foundation of Submission to Authority

At the heart of the Christian's civic duty is the principle of submission to governing authorities. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, leaves no ambiguity regarding the divine origin of human government:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Romans 13:1-4

This passage clearly states that all authority is established by God. To resist the governing power is, in essence, to resist God's ordained structure. This submission is not merely for fear of punishment, but also for conscience' sake (Romans 13:5). Similarly, Peter exhorts believers to "submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well" (1 Peter 2:13-14). This foundational principle establishes a strong presumption against civil disobedience, urging respect, honor, and obedience to the laws of the land, including the payment of taxes (Romans 13:6-7).

When God's Law Collides with Man's Law

While the Bible commands submission to earthly authorities, it also establishes a higher, ultimate authority: God Himself. The tension arises when human laws or decrees directly contradict God's explicit commands. In such cases, the Christian's primary allegiance must always be to the Lord. The most direct biblical articulation of this principle comes from the Apostles Peter and John when commanded by the Sanhedrin to cease preaching about Jesus:

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Acts 4:19-20

And later, when arrested again for the same offense, they declared:

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:29

This is the crux of the matter: when a human law demands disobedience to God's clear word, the Christian is not only permitted but commanded to obey God. This is not a call to anarchy or rebellion against all governmental authority, but a narrow exception for instances where direct conflict with divine law exists.

Biblical Examples of Righteous Disobedience

The Scriptures provide several compelling examples of individuals who, out of obedience to God, defied human decrees:

The Hebrew Midwives (Exodus 1): Shiphrah and Puah, commanded by Pharaoh to kill all male Hebrew babies, "feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive" (Exodus 1:17). God blessed them for their righteous disobedience.
Daniel and His Friends (Daniel 1, 3, 6):
- Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king's meat and wine, a dietary disobedience based on his faith (Daniel 1:8).
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego famously refused to worship the golden image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar, declaring, "we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace... But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" (Daniel 3:16-18).
- Daniel himself continued his regular prayer three times a day, despite a royal decree forbidding prayer to any god or man save the king for thirty days (Daniel 6:10).
The Apostles (Acts 4-5): As noted previously, Peter and John continued to preach the Gospel despite direct commands from the Sanhedrin to stop. Their disobedience was not rebellion but a reaffirmation of their ultimate commission from God.

These examples illustrate that civil disobedience, when biblically warranted, is not an act of rebellion against authority itself, but an act of supreme obedience to God, often accompanied by a willingness to suffer the consequences.

The Nature and Limits of Christian Civil Disobedience

For the Christian, civil disobedience is a grave matter, not to be undertaken lightly or for trivial reasons. It is a last resort when God's clear commands are directly contradicted by human law. Several critical distinctions must be made:

Direct Conflict with God's Law: Disobedience is warranted only when a human law compels one to sin against God or forbids one from obeying a clear divine command. It is not for personal preference, political disagreement, or mere inconvenience.

Passive Resistance Preferred: Biblical examples primarily show passive non-compliance rather than active, violent rebellion against the state. Daniel and his friends simply refused to obey; they did not seek to overthrow the king. The apostles continued to preach; they did not incite a riot.

Acceptance of Consequences: Those who engaged in righteous disobedience in Scripture did so knowing and accepting the potential consequences, including imprisonment, persecution, or even death. They did not seek to avoid the penalty but trusted God with the outcome. "But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods..." (Daniel 3:18).

Motivation Matters: The motivation for disobedience must be love for God and His truth, a desire to honor Him, and not personal gain, anger, or a spirit of rebellion. It should be rooted in a prayerful, conscience-driven conviction.

Specific Commands, Not General Grievances: The focus is on specific biblical commands (e.g., "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel") rather than broad political or social grievances, unless those grievances directly involve a clear violation of God's moral law.

The Christian's default posture is one of respect and submission to authority, praying for rulers (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and seeking the peace of the city (Jeremiah 29:7). Only when the state oversteps its God-ordained bounds by demanding what God forbids or forbidding what God commands does the principle of "we ought to obey God rather than men" come into play.

Conclusion

The Christian's relationship with civil authority is a delicate balance, requiring wisdom, discernment, and unwavering faithfulness to God's Word. While the Bible unequivocally commands submission to governing authorities as ordained by God, it also establishes the supreme authority of God Himself. Civil disobedience, therefore, is not a license for anarchy or rebellion, but a solemn and weighty act reserved for those rare instances when human law directly contradicts the clear, express commands of God. It is characterized by a humble, prayerful refusal to sin, a willingness to suffer the consequences, and an ultimate allegiance to the King of kings and Lord of lords. The believer's highest duty is to glorify God, and when earthly laws compel a dishonoring of Him, the Christian's conscience, informed by Scripture, must choose to obey God rather than men, trusting in His sovereign plan and provision.