Peter gives two characteristics that must be avoided: following the desires of the flesh, and despising authority. Both of these are very prevalent in today's society. We need to ensure that we purge ourselves of these traits as well. Despising authority is one we need to pay particular attention to for it is very easy to fall into the trap of doing this. In 1 Peter it is clear that we are to respect all authority, including governmental authority (Paul gives the same message as well).
Arrogance is a trait that characterises people who do these things, thinking we are our own masters, effectively gods ourselves. Peter then says (as seems to be his habit) something which is a little confusing, referring to angels. Peter says that even when angels bring judgement on celestial beings they exercise only God's judgement, they do not add their own "tuppence worth". We can learn from this in the area of dealing with spiritual forces. The only authority we have is the authority that comes from the Lord, we must not assume that we have authority in our own right. If we go beyond this and start imagining that we have our own authority then our stupidity will quickly become apparent.
Arrogance is a trait that characterises people who do these things, thinking we are our own masters, effectively gods ourselves. Peter then says (as seems to be his habit) something which is a little confusing, referring to angels. Peter says that even when angels bring judgement on celestial beings they exercise only God's judgement, they do not add their own "tuppence worth". We can learn from this in the area of dealing with spiritual forces. The only authority we have is the authority that comes from the Lord, we must not assume that we have authority in our own right. If we go beyond this and start imagining that we have our own authority then our stupidity will quickly become apparent.
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