Heb 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
1 Thess. 4:9 ...for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
We have seen that humility is a key to spiritual success, and that submitting to authority is a key to humility. We also saw that the people whom God has put over us are able to teach us His Word; if they are not able to do this, God has not put them over you, regardless of their titles. Now we see that the people God has put over us "watch out for your souls."
A person who has seized leadership in violation of Scripture often finds it necessary to engage in church politics in order to hold onto that leadership. The person has to work against feared opponents, justifying his sin by claiming that it is necessary in order for him to carry out God's work.
One hallmark of a dying church is criticizing other Christian churches, because the leadership fears that their people will go to those other churches. The result is that when some of God's people finally do get out, they don't go to church anywhere. God, however, teaches us to love one another. A person who teaches you otherwise does not have authority over you, regardless of his title.
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