What does the Bible say about civil disobedience?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Civil disobedience is the intentional act of disobeying a civil law or authority because of a conviction that one has a higher responsibility. For believers, those "higher responsibilities" are found in the Bible alone. The aim of Christian civil disobedience is to follow God despite the rule of an ungodly authority. When obeying man's law would put us in direct disobedience to the clear command of God, then—and only then—is civil disobedience warranted. The Bible provides examples such as the Hebrew midwives protecting Hebrew boys; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s statue; and Daniel praying despite a royal decree. Early Christians also obeyed God over Rome when commanded to remain silent (Acts 4:19-20), yet submitted to authorities where the law did not contradict God’s commands. Believers are citizens of heaven first (Philippians 3:20), and their hope is in Christ, not human law or personal safety. Civil disobedience is warranted only when a law forces direct disobedience to God, while ordinary obedience to authorities demonstrates faithfulness and love for others. Today, balancing civil obedience and selective disobedience when God’s Word is at stake provides a powerful witness to our priorities and loyalty to Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• When human laws demand disobedience to God, believers must obey God first. Civil disobedience in the Bible is not about rebellion for personal gain but about faithfulness to God’s moral and divine commands. The Hebrew midwives, for example, disobeyed Pharaoh’s order to kill Hebrew boys, choosing to obey God’s command to protect life (Exodus 1:15-21).
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue, risking death rather than disobeying God’s command against idolatry (Daniel 3:1-30).
• Daniel continued praying to God even when a law prohibited it, showing faithfulness to God above the king’s decree (Daniel 6:1-28).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• God told His children to worship Him alone, so they, quite properly, refused mandates to worship the Roman emperor. God told the church to preach the gospel, so they defied orders to keep quiet about Jesus (Acts 4:19-20). However, on issues where God was silent, they fell back on the admonition to obey ruling authorities (Romans 13:1-7). The early Christians didn't resist imprisonment or abuse or even death. They didn't place personal safety and well-being above state law. And they didn't disrespect government officials, even those who seemed bent on violating their rights.
• It's easier to submit to governing authorities when we have the proper perspective of who we are. Believers are not primarily citizens of nations but citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). We have exchanged our worldly rights for submission to God and His plan for us. We are not guaranteed safety or prosperity in this world but persecution and hate (John 15:18-20).
• Our hope is not in manmade laws however inspired by biblical principles they may be. Our hope is Jesus and salvation and "that which is truly life" (1 Timothy 6:19).
• Knowing who we are, we purpose to do good works (Ephesians 2:10) within the context of divinely sanctioned authorities within the God-ordained system of civil government (1 Peter 2:13). This means we do what we can in accordance with the law and what we must outside of it. What we must do is simple: love God and worship Him alone, love others, and spread the gospel.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Whether civil disobedience is necessary depends on the civil authority and the freedoms it affords its citizens. For example, it is unnecessary today to break the law of the United States to fight abortion; organizations and ministries carry on that fight within the law. The midwives in ancient Egypt, however, had no such opportunity; they broke the law with every Hebrew boy they let live (Exodus 1).

In the nineteenth-century America, abolitionists broke the law to rescue people out of slavery. Today, the International Justice Mission works with local officials to rescue trafficked individuals and prosecute traffickers according to governing law.

Balancing civil disobedience and godly submission is a powerful witness for the gospel. It shows what our priorities are and where our loyalties lie. If we find ourselves crying "Foul!" at every perceived violation of our rights, it might indicate that we've come to love the things of the world (1 John 2:15). If, however, we limit our protests to issues that are clearly contrary to biblical truth, we're on the right track. If we face inconvenience, hardship, persecution, and even death quietly, reserving civil disobedience for only those times when a law would force us to directly disobey God's Word, then we truly are "not of the world" (John 17:16).

UNDERSTAND

• Civil disobedience is warranted only when human laws conflict with God’s commands.
• Biblical examples show that civil disobedience is an act of faithfulness, not personal rebellion.
• Christians must balance obedience to authorities with loyalty to God, acting within the law whenever possible.

REFLECT

• When faced with a law or rule that conflicts with God’s commands, how would you respond?
• How do you balance respect for authorities with your obedience to God’s Word?
• In what ways can you prepare your heart and mind to act faithfully to God if civil disobedience becomes necessary?

ENGAGE

• How do we determine when civil disobedience is warranted versus when we should submit to authority?
• What lessons can we learn from biblical examples who followed God above human laws?
• How can our obedience or selective civil disobedience serve as a witness to God’s priorities and His kingdom in today’s society?