The Spirit of Rebellion

This spirit causes people to exalt themselves, to be exalted by others, to resist authority, and to reject discipline or boundaries.

Concept:
The root of rebellion is spiritual immaturity. Young people are more prone to rebellion, and it often manifests in pride, arrogance, self-satisfaction, and self-righteousness. Rebellion is an attitude born from spiritual immaturity and fleshly desires—this is what rebellion is.

Manifestations of Rebellion:

1. Pursuing things God has forbidden—not seeking God’s heart; pursuing in the wrong way or at the wrong time; openly betraying those in authority; inciting rebellion; stealing God’s glory and power; disobedience. These are six major signs of rebellion.There is a clear disregard for God’s laws, including engaging in activities that God has strictly forbidden—such as murder. However, rebellion often manifests in more subtle and hidden ways. Disobedience becomes a stumbling block in our path. This can include unforgiveness or ignoring the need to ask for help. The Lord has clearly declared certain actions to be forbidden (Romans 1:28–32; Galatians 5:19–21). He does not do this to ruin our enjoyment but because He knows these behaviors bring destructive consequences.

Romans 1:28-32

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting

being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers （Romans 1:28）

backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, （Romans 1:30）

undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; （Romans 1:31）

who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. （Romans 1:32）

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, (Gal 5:19)

idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  (Gal 5:20)

envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  (Gal 5:21)

Rebellion is often accompanied by a whole host of behaviors. The more it progresses, the more powers become entangled with it. Rebellion occurs most often in people who are spiritually immature, which is why it's more commonly seen in young people. They tend to enjoy pushing boundaries—challenging limits, questioning authority, breaking rules, and opposing God's established laws. These behaviors indicate a heart that does not seek God's will.

• Even when what is being pursued is within God's will, the method or timing may be wrong. In the Christian life, we are granted much freedom—God can give us wealth, success, and relationships. However, believers are not free to pursue these things through theft, deceit, or injustice. I may be pursuing something God allows, but on my own schedule. Impatience often leads people into debt or harmful relationships. We may start chasing after something before clearly understanding God's guidance.
• Open rebellion is defiance against rulers or authorities—it is a defining trait of opposition to God. Satan himself is a rebel. Rebellion against an established government, especially when public and armed, reflects—in spiritual terms—resistance and opposition to the Kingdom of God. The spirit of betrayal and rebellion is characterized by resistance to all forms of authority and disregard for any laws or rules. Such a person does whatever they want, believing they don’t need anyone to tell them what’s right or wrong—they act willfully and recklessly. The “spirituality” of resisting authority is, in fact, a corrupted spirituality. When someone rebels against God, His Word, and the earthly authorities He has established, that person’s heart has fallen. We must be alert to the spirit of rebellion.
  As Scripture warns: "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)
• Inciting rebellion means stirring others to resist or betray legitimate authority.
  Absalom, the son of David, is an example of one who incited rebellion—he secretly stirred people to oppose David. A person with the “spirit of Absalom” is often dissatisfied with leadership and ungrateful for the guidance of current leaders. They are usually filled with anger and manipulate others to accomplish their own plans. Such a person focuses solely on their own rights while ignoring the rights and needs of others.This is a manifestation of a rebellious spirit, and over time, it can lead to the incitement of rebellion.
• Another form of rebellion is through witchcraft, which involves taking glory for oneself—usurping the glory that belongs to God's nature, His works, and His power.
  When God accomplishes something by His power and grace, and a person or a church credits it to human effort or merit, the spirit of witchcraft begins to operate.The goal of witchcraft is to steal God’s glory by attributing divine results to oneself.
  Gifts and life come from God, and glory should be given to Him alone.To prevent witchcraft from operating within us, we must humble ourselves before God.
  The Lord will lift up the humble.Those who humble themselves before God have hope and walk in true humility before the Lord.
• Disobedience is manifested in the following ways:
  (1) Lawlessness;
  (2) A complete lack of order;
  (3) Disrespect for the law;
  (4) Disregard for boundaries;
  (5) Refusal to submit to the authorities established by God.

Source: Pastoral Ministry Department of End-Time Ministry (Please notify us promptly if any copyright infringement is involved.)