Part 6: Do You Need Your Leader’s Permission to Obey God?
Counsel, Confirmation, and the Voice of Christ
“Has your pastor released you?”
“Did your spiritual father approve it?”
“Did your covering give you permission?”
“I know you believe God told you to do it, but you need to wait until your leader releases you.”
Statements like these raise one of the most difficult questions surrounding modern teachings on spiritual authority:
Do Christians need a human leader’s permission before they can obey what they believe God has called them to do?
We need to answer that question carefully.
There are two extremes we need to avoid.
One extreme says:
“Nobody can tell me anything. God speaks directly to me.”
This might sound spiritual, but it can lead to pride, recklessness, and a lack of accountability.
The other extreme says:
“I cannot obey God unless my spiritual authority gives me permission.”
This may seem submissive, but it puts a person in a place that, according to Scripture, belongs only to Christ.
Both of these extremes are unhealthy.
The New Testament offers a better way.
Believers hear God through Scripture and the Holy Spirit’s work.
They walk in community.
They receive counsel.
They test what they believe they’re hearing.
They recognize godly leadership.
They remain teachable.
They welcome correction.
But in the end, each Christian is personally responsible for following Jesus Christ.
No one else can take on that responsibility for you.
“GOD TOLD ME” DOESN’T END THE CONVERSATION
Let’s start with the first problem.
Sometimes Christians use:
“God told me”
as a way to avoid accountability.
Someone says:
“God told me to marry this person.”
But everyone who knows them sees serious warning signs.
“God told me to quit my job.”
But they have no plan for providing for their family.
“God told me to start a ministry.”
But they refuse to serve faithfully anywhere before demanding a platform.
“God told me this doctrine is true.”
But they cannot support it with Scripture.
When questioned, the response is:
“You can’t tell me what God told me.”
That’s not mature discernment.
That’s just using God’s name to make our own wishes seem beyond question.
The Bible teaches a much healthier approach.
WHAT WE HEAR MUST BE TESTED
1 Thessalonians 5:20–21 (CSB)says:
“Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good.”
Pay attention to both parts of this instruction.
Don’t automatically reject what may be from God.
But don’t automatically accept it either.
Test it.
Paul gives similar instructions in1 Corinthians 14:29:
“Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate.”
We are called to evaluate.
This is an important idea.
Even prophetic speech within the New Testament church was subject to discernment.
So when someone says:
“I believe God is leading me to do this,”
there is nothing wrong with mature believers asking:
“Does this agree with Scripture?”
“Does this reflect Christ’s character?”
“Have you prayed about this?”
“Have you sought counsel?”
“Are your motives healthy?”
“Are there warning signs you may be overlooking?”
This isn’t about controlling anyone.
It’s about helping them discern what’s right.
SCRIPTURE IS OUR FIRST TEST
The clearest boundary is Scripture.
God will not lead you in a way that goes against what He has already revealed in His Word.
If someone says:
“God told me to leave my spouse because I met my soulmate,”
we don’t need three prophetic confirmations.
We have Scripture.
If someone says:
“God told me to lie about this situation because the truth would hurt the ministry,”
we don’t need to discern whether that was God.
God has already spoken about truthfulness.
If someone says:
“God told me I don’t need Christian community or accountability anymore,”
we compare that claim with Scripture.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t contradict the Word He inspired.
This is why knowing the Bible is so important.
When people don’t know Scripture well, it’s easier for someone else’s so-called revelation to influence them.
THE BEREANS DIDN’T OUTSOURCE DISCERNMENT
We’ve already looked at the Bereans in this series, but they deserve another mention.
In Acts 17:11, they received Paul’s message eagerly while examining Scripture daily to determine whether what they were hearing was true.
They didn’t say:
“Paul is the apostle. Whatever he says must automatically be right.”
They examined Scripture.
And Scripture calls them noble for doing it.
This means that mature Christians don’t let others do all their discerning for them.
Pastors help us discern.
Teachers help us understand Scripture.
Prophets may bring something that requires evaluation.
Mature believers provide wisdom.
But ultimately, every believer has responsibility before God to know truth.
COUNSEL IS A GIFT
Now let’s address the opposite extreme.
Some people hear teaching like this and conclude:
“Great. I don’t need anybody.”
That’s not biblical.
Proverbs repeatedly emphasizes the value of wise counsel.
Proverbs 15:22 (CSB)says:
“Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Wisdom lies in asking other people.
Especially people who know you.
People who aren’t impressed by you.
People who can tell you no.
People who understand Scripture.
People who have experience.
People who don’t have anything to gain from your decision.
People who love you enough to tell you what you don’t want to hear.
That kind of honesty is a real gift.
I would be concerned about someone making major decisions while refusing all counsel.
The issue isn’t whether we need counseThe real question is whether seeking advice turns into needing permission.permission.
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COUNSEL AND PERMISSION
Suppose you believe God is calling you to plant a church.
You go to your pastor.
A healthy conversation might sound like:
“I believe God may be calling me to plant.”
Your pastor responds:
“Let’s pray about that. Let’s examine your character, calling, gifting, preparation, family situation, finances, and timing. Let’s make sure you’re ready.”
That’s a healthy way to approach things.
Your pastor may even tell you:
“I believe you’re called, but I don’t believe you’re ready yet.”
You would be wise to take that seriously.
You may be hearing the what correctly but missing the when.
Maybe God really has called you, but you need preparation.
Good advice can help us tell the difference between excitement and true readiness.
But now imagine something different.
“I believe God is calling me to plant.”
The response:
“You cannot plant a church unless I release you. God placed me over you. If you go without my permission, you’ll be operating outside your covering.”
But now, this is a different kind of claim.
The question becomes:
Where does Scripture give that leader universal authority over another believer’s calling?
That’s much harder to prove from Scripture.
ACTS 13 SHOWS COMMUNITY CONFIRMATION
Acts 13 gives us a beautiful model.
The church at Antioch is worshiping and fasting when the Holy Spirit says:
Acts 13:2 (CSB)
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Notice who called them.
The Holy Spirit.
Then the church fasted, prayed, laid hands on them, and sent them off.
That’s a powerful example.
There is both:
Divine calling
and
community confirmation.
These two ideas can work together.
The Spirit calls.
The Church recognizes.
The Church prays.
The Church commissions.
The Church sends.
That’s healthy.
But notice, the church is not shown as the source of the calling.
God is.
The church recognizes what God is doing.
WHAT IF LEADERS DISAGREE?
This is where things become difficult.
What happens when you sincerely believe God is leading you one direction and your spiritual leaders believe you’re wrong?
Don’t immediately assume they’re controlling.
Listen.
Pray.
Slow down if possible.
Ask why they disagree.
Maybe they see something you don’t.
Maybe your motives are mixed.
Maybe your timing is wrong.
Maybe you’re unprepared.
Maybe you’re hurt and calling escape “calling.”
Maybe you’re ambitious and calling ambition “anointing.”
Maybe they’re right.
We should always be humble enough to consider that possibility.
But leaders also need to consider another possibility:
They could be wrong.
Pastors aren’t infallible.
Elders aren’t omniscient.
Prophets don’t know everything.
Apostles aren’t God.
Sometimes leaders misunderstand what God is doing in someone else’s life.
PETER AND JOHN FACED A LIMIT
Acts 4 and 5 give us an extreme example of the limits of human authority.
Religious authorities commanded the apostles to stop preaching Jesus.
Peter and John responded in Acts 4:19by asking whether it was right before God to listen to them rather than God.
Then in Acts 5:29 (CSB)Peter and the apostles say:
“We must obey God rather than people.”
But we need to use this passagewisely.y.
It isn’t a license for Christians to say:
“My pastor asked me to arrive at church at 8:00, but God told me 8:30.”
That’s not a serious example.
Acts 5 involves authorities directly commanding the apostles to stop obeying Christ.
Even so, the principle here is important:
No human authority is absolute.
Whenever human authority directly contradicts God’s authority, God wins.
Every time.
PAUL’S CALLING CAME FROM CHRIST
Paul says something interesting in Galatians 1:15–17.
When God revealed Christ to him and called him to preach among the Gentiles, Paul emphasizes that he didn’t immediately consult human beings or go to Jerusalem to the apostles before him.
He went away and later returned to Damascus.
Paul isn’t teaching independence from the Church.
His later ministry clearly demonstrates deep relationships with churches and other leaders.
But his calling didn’t originate in Jerusalem.
It originated with Christ.
That makes a real difference.
Human beings may recognize a calling.
Human beings may confirm a calling.
Human beings may help develop a calling.
Human beings may provide opportunities for a calling.
But ultimately:
God calls.
A CHURCH DOES CONTROL ITS OWN PULPIT
We need another important distinction.
Suppose someone says:
“God called me to preach.”
Does that mean your pastor must let you preach next Sunday?
No.
Your calling doesn’t obligate another leader to surrender responsibility God has entrusted to them.
A pastor has responsibility for what happens in the congregation he shepherds.
Church leaders can say:
“We don’t believe you’re ready to teach here.”
They can say:
“You aren’t authorized to lead this ministry.”
They can remove someone from a leadership position when necessary.
They can establish standards for people serving within that congregation.
That’s an example of proper authority.
But there is a difference between saying:
“You cannot exercise that ministry here.”
and saying:
“God cannot use you anywhere unless I release you.”
One deals with stewardship over a particular congregation.
The other claims authority over another person’s calling.
These are not the same thing.
YOUR PASTOR ISN’T THE HOLY SPIRIT
Pastors should help people hear God.
Not replace Him.
A pastor should be able to say:
“Here’s what Scripture says.”
“Here’s what I believe wisdom suggests.”
“Here’s what concerns me.”
“Here’s what I think you should pray about.”
“Here’s what I’ve learned through experience.”
And sometimes:
“I strongly believe you’re making a mistake.”
That’s pastoral care.
But we should be very cautious about saying:
“God told me what you’re supposed to do, therefore you must obey me.”
That’s a very serious claim.
If I’m wrong, I haven’t merely given bad advice.
I’ve attached God’s name to my opinion.
That’s a serious matter.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE BEFORE GOD
Romans 14 deals with disputed matters among believers.
Paul repeatedly emphasizes personal responsibility before God.
Romans 14:12 (CSB)says:
“So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
Each of us.
That means one day I cannot stand before Jesus and say:
“But my pastor told me to.”
Neither can I say:
“My spiritual father made that decision.”
Or:
“My covering approved it.”
I am responsible before Christ for my obedience.
Leaders can guide me.
They can teach me.
They can correct me.
They can warn me.
But they cannot assume my responsibility before God.
DON’T CONFUSE INDEPENDENCE WITH MATURITY
Mature believers don’t say:
“I don’t need anyone.”
They say:
“I need the body of Christ, but Christ is stiThat’s the balance we need.s the balance.
I need pastors.
I need brothers and sisters.
I need people who can correct me.
I need wisdom.
I need accountability.
I need people who can recognize blind spots.
But none of those people become Jesus.
FIVE QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU SAY “GOD TOLD ME”
Before making a major decision based upon what you believe God has spoken, ask yourself:
1. Does it agree with Scripture?
God won’t contradict His Word.
2. Have I genuinely prayed, or have I already decided what I want?
Sometimes we ask God to confirm decisions we’ve already made emotionally.
3. What are mature believers saying?
Not just people who always agree with you.
Ask people who will tell you the truth.
4. Are there repeated confirmations?
Circumstances alone don’t determine God’s will, but sometimes God graciously confirms direction through Scripture, counsel, opportunity, gifting, and providence.
5. Am I willing to hear “no”?
If every person who disagrees with you automatically becomes “religious,” “controlling,” or “unable to hear God,” you may not actually be seeking counsel.
You may be seeking agreement.
AND FIVE QUESTIONS FOR LEADERS
Leaders should examine themselves too.
Before telling someone what God supposedly requires of them, ask:
1. Is this clearly Scripture—or my preference?
Those aren’t the same thing.
2. Am I giving counsel or demanding control?
3. Would I respond differently if this person’s decision didn’t affect my ministry?
That’s a revealing question.
4. Am I afraid of losing this person?
Sometimes leaders call something “rebellion” because they’re afraid someone is leaving their influence.
5. Am I pointing this person toward Christ or making them dependent upon me?
That question should sober every leader.
THE GOAL IS MATURE DISCERNMENT
Healthy leadership produces believers who can eventually say:
“I’ve searched Scripture.”
“I’ve prayed.”
“I’ve listened to counsel.”
“I’ve examined my motives.”
“I’ve invited correction.”
“I’ve waited when necessary.”
“And after doing those things, I believe this is what obedience to Christ requires.”
That is very different from impulsively saying:
“God told me, so leave me alone.”
And it’s also very different from saying:
“I cannot move until another human being gives me permission.”
The first can be arrogance.
The second can lead to bondage.
Biblical maturity lives somewhere between them.
CHRIST IS LORD
Pastors are gifts.
Mentors are gifts.
Spiritual fathers and mothers, understood relationally, can be tremendous gifts.
Prophetic voices can be gifts.
Wise counselors are gifts.
Accountability is a gift.
But none of these gifts can take the place of the Giver.
Jesus remains Lord.
The Holy Spirit remains present within His people.
Scripture remains our authoritative standard.
The Church remains a community where discernment happens.
And every believer remains responsible before God.
So seek counsel.
Please seek counsel.
Especially before major decisions.
Listen when mature believers disagree with you.
Don’t become defensive.
Don’t baptize every personal desire with the words:
“God told me.”
Remain teachable.
Remain accountable.
Remain humble.
But also remember:
No pastor died for you.
No apostle died for you.
No spiritual father died for you.
No spiritual mother died for you.
Jesus did.
No pastor will ultimately judge your faithfulness.
Jesus will.
No human leader owns your calling.
Jesus does.
And no human being has the right to occupy the place in your life that belongs uniquely to Christ.
Good leaders understand that.
They don’t demand that you hear God through them.
They help you learn to recognize God’s truth for yourself.
They don’t need you to be permanently dependent on their approval.
They want you mature enough to obey Christ faithfully.
Because the goal of discipleship isn’t producing Christians who constantly ask:
“What does my leader want me to do?”
The goal is producing mature disciples whose lives increasingly revolve around one question:
“Jesus, what would You have me do?”
Then they open Scripture.
They pray.
They listen.
They seek counsel.
They test.
They discern.
And when they know what obedience requires—
they follow Christ.
COMING IN PART 7
The Fivefold Ministry Was Given to Equip You, Not Own You
Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers Under Christ
Jesus gives leaders to His Church.
Ephesians 4:11–12identifies apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers and explains exactly why Christ gave them:
“to equip the saints for the work of ministry.”
That raises an important question.
If leaders were given to equip the saints, why do some ministry structures leave believers permanently dependent upon the leaders?
In Part 7, we’ll examine Ephesians 4:11–16closely.
We’ll talk about the fivefold ministry.
We’ll talk about apostles and prophets.
We’ll talk about pastors and teachers.
We’ll talk about spiritual authority.
And we’ll examine the goal Jesus Himself established for ministry leadership:
Not control.
Not celebrity.
Not building personal kingdoms.
Not collecting spiritual sons and daughters.
Equipping God’s people until they grow into maturity in Christ.
Thoughts from Pastor Toney 