Submission is a very important matter in the Bible. We are told to submit to and honour our leaders because God is holding them accountable for our lives. However, one has to realise that honouring and submitting to our leaders has its own limitations.

This brings us to the question: Does honouring our leaders mean being totally obedient to them?

Friends, the answer is "no."

Why not?

Honouring our leaders and submitting to their leadership is very different from being totally obedient to them. The former simply means we recognise, honour and follow their leadership. The latter means we let go of our capacity to judge what our leaders tell us, and blindly obey whatever they say simply because "they're our leaders." The latter is very dangerous.

Although Romans 13:1 would tell us that "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God," we are to "Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith." (Hebrews 13:7)

Based on these verses, it is best that we exercise wisdom and discernment before we follow any leader, as not all of them will lead us into thinking, believing and doing what is right and just according to God's Word.

Submit to God

Friends, more than just submitting to and obeying our leaders, we should keep in mind that God is God, and He alone deserves our total obedience. Acts 5:29 tells us that "we must obey God rather than any human authority." Far greater than any other human leadership, God's leadership stands.

Consider how kind and gracious our God is, if ever you are wondering. God Himself, the Supreme ruler of the whole universe, the One to whom demons tremble, the One who is Sovereign above all – He gave us mere men the power to decide for ourselves. He gave us free will and is not forcing us to obey Him.

If He Himself decided to give us the freedom to decide how much we will obey Him, then why should we blindly follow human leaders? If we are unable to totally and wholly obey God's Word, then why must we think of doing whatever our bosses tell us to do?

God or your leader?

Friends, the matter of the issue here is that our total obedience should only be given to the Lord, and not to man. When we prioritise God's will as said in His Word, we will find that honouring our leaders is part of it. Let's prioritise God more than men. He deserves it.