Events of the 1960s resulted in a wave of reactions against authority and leadership. Dubbed a freedom movement, many flocked to gatherings, listened to songs and read books that spread the message of “love and peace.” This trend, however, was not a freedom movement, but further plunged people into bondage. In this case the bondage of rebellion led people into a deeper place of brokenness, where they were then even more shut off from true healing.
Broken Hearts Lead to Rebellion
The heart of the matter was that millions of young people carried broken hearts in relation to their parents and authority figures. Instead of receiving proper healing and making the necessary adjustments, pride came in and an entire movement spread that poisoned the land with new levels of rebellion. While everyone chanted “freedom” the brokenness of the heart went further underground and unaddressed.
The heart of the matter was that millions of young people carried broken hearts in relation to their parents and authority figures.
Teenagers and young people are often labeled with seasons of rebellion in their life. Although this is true, I deal with more potent rebellion in adults than anywhere in life. Rebellion keeps any church or organization from moving forward in unity. Even though all authority structures have their flaws, God works very strongly in the order of leadership to fulfill His purpose. Rebellion defies and undermines this leadership.
Most rebellion is simply the result of unresolved brokenness that has been made worse by self-reliance, independence and separation from relationships. The root of rejection fuels this as a defense mechanism and an easy way to keep people at a distance. Those who rebel are not as strong as they appear. They are often very broken and weak, but are not willing to admit or reveal it. Instead, the enemy keeps resistance within them preventing them from having healthy relationships with authority.
These authority figures often carry the blessing needed for them to go further. This is why many people often remain stuck in their walk. They have been hurt by authority. Instead of receiving healing while still honoring authority, they run in hurt and anger from their leaders and any other leadership covering. They fail to see that they are actually running from the ability to be blessed.
Instead of receiving healing while still honoring authority, they run in hurt and anger from their leaders and any other leadership covering.
Independant Mindsets
Where I minister, I see this rebellion often in the independence it fosters. Americans love the idea of being self-made, independent entrepreneurs who can do it on their own. There’s nothing wrong with working hard on your own, but when rebellion is at work, no one comes together in unity and leadership cannot do its job.
I have people come up to me all the time; sharing about the great exploits they are pursuing. I hear about new ministry ventures, churches and business prospects they have in mind. Yet there is a common thread in the majority of these cases. They are doing this all on their own with no connection to leadership. When they start a business, they receive no mentoring. When they start a church, they don’t gain any input or instruction from an apostolic person. They talk about starting a new ministry, while saying a dozen times, “My ministry, My calling, My thing, I am on My own…”
Something is wrong with this picture. The more people seem to be talking about their calling, the more it seems to be about independent rebellion than it is about pursuing a healthy calling. When was the last time you heard someone say, “My calling is to serve this business and help add value to it in every way,” or “I know God has called me to serve this pastor and help the mission God has put on his heart.” Its very rare. It’s always about, “My thing, my calling, my church, my, my, my.”
In nine out of ten of these scenarios, someone is hurt. They are responding to that hurt of not being validated, recognized or cared for and are now starting something else independently because of that unresolved hurt. Rebellious pride keeps them from healing the past relational rifts and they pursue something on their own. Not too long after, their passion for “their” pursuits burns out.
Giving Room for the “False”
Many false prophets and false teachers carry a spirit of rejection that has led them into doctrinal teachings that are off base and unscriptural. They end up leading cults and ministries that have no value for other churches. They have a powerful gifting or anointed work, but their rejection roots taint their effectiveness and allow the doctrine of devils to cloud their ministry.
Many who teach false doctrine are often people who have zero leadership input into their life. All pioneer leaders in ministry have a great sense of loneliness in plowing the new territory they are pursuing. But the work of God can become stifled if they are not open to healthy input from someone in stable authority. In my conviction, the best place to receive this kind of covering is someone who is established in one of the five spiritual offices—apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher or evangelist.
Many false prophets and false teachers carry a spirit of rejection that has led them into doctrinal teachings that are off base and Unscriptural.
Key Issue = Relational Brokeness
This rebellion often all goes back to a wounded heart. I remember Josh McDowell taught that “Rules without relationships leads to rebellion.” This is very true. When a proper loving relationship is not established in some one’s life, they become open to reacting to any correction or instruction with rebellion; either through withdrawal or non-compliance to instruction.
So how do we begin addressing the rebellion that creeps up in our culture? By increasing loving relationship, thereby giving the atmosphere needed for healing of the heart. Our gut reaction often involves a power struggle, where leaders can use muscle, threats or increased rules to deal with the increased rebellion.
We often react to rebellion by upping the rules and regulations, which can often add fuel to the fire of rebellion that is already burning. Rules are not evil, but they are not THE answer. Rules can only work properly in the midst of established relationship. Without it, rebellion will only continue to rise. Our response to rebellion needs to be patient investment in relationship, where we give God room to change the hearts of people.