Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5931 resistance

Opposition to the demands of the state or other legitimate authorities. Individuals must not resist such demands unless they are contrary to God's requirements. God will himself judge unjust rulers. Christians should not resist the evil person but, following Jesus Christ's teaching and example, entrust themselves to God.

God should not be resisted

2 Chronicles 35:21; Acts 7:51; Acts 11:17; Romans 9:19

Individuals should not resist legitimate authorities

Civil authorities

Romans 13:1-2 See also Deuteronomy 17:12-13; 1 Samuel 24:6; Titus 3:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-14,17

Religious authorities

Hebrews 13:17 See also Acts 23:5

Parental authority

Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20; 2 Timothy 3:2

Resistance of unjust authorities

Resistance to human authorities is justified when they oppose God's requirements

Exodus 1:15-17 See also Exodus 1:22-2:3; Daniel 3:13-18; Daniel 6:6-10; Acts 4:18-20; Acts 5:27-29; Hebrews 11:23

God will enable Christians, unjustly brought before human authorities, to defend themselves

Mark 13:11 pp Matthew 10:19-20 pp Luke 12:11-12 See also Luke 21:14-15

God will vindicate those of his people who cannot resist unjust authorities

Daniel 3:28-29 See also Genesis 39:20-21; Ecclesiastes 8:12; Daniel 6:19-28

God will himself judge unjust rulers

Hosea 5:10 See also 1 Kings 21:15-19; Isaiah 1:23-26; Isaiah 3:11-15; Isaiah 10:1-3; Isaiah 59:14-20; Ezekiel 22:27-31; Micah 7:2-4

Resisting evil

Christians should not resist the evil person

Matthew 5:38-41 See also Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 26:52; Luke 6:27-30; Romans 12:19-21

Christians should follow the teaching and example of Jesus Christ and entrust themselves to God

1 Peter 2:20-23 See also Isaiah 53:7-9; 2 Timothy 4:14

See also

3284  Holy Spirit, resisting
4126  Satan, resistance to
5215  authority
5257  civil authorities
5829  defiance
6030  sin, avoidance
6221  rebellion
6251  temptation, resisting
8453  obedience
8482  spiritual warfare
8737  evil, responses to
8785  opposition