What does the Bible say about civil disobedience?

The Bible teaches believers to respect governing authorities, but it also provides clear examples where civil disobedience is necessary when man’s laws conflict with God’s commands. Obedience to God always takes priority.

Romans 13:1–2 instructs:

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

However, this does not mean blind obedience. When human laws contradict God’s law, Scripture shows that faithful believers must resist.

In Exodus 1:17, the Hebrew midwives defied Pharaoh’s command to kill newborn Hebrew boys:

“But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.”

Their fear of God outweighed fear of the king, and God honored their actions.

In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, choosing the fiery furnace over idolatry. Likewise, in Daniel 6, Daniel continued praying to God despite a royal decree forbidding it.

The apostles also provide a direct example in Acts 5:29:

“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

They had been commanded by the Sanhedrin not to preach in Jesus’ name, yet they continued boldly because obedience to Christ took precedence.

Civil disobedience in Scripture is never about rebellion for personal gain or chaos. It is a serious, prayerful act of allegiance to God’s authority. When the state commands what God forbids, or forbids what God commands, believers must stand for truth, willing to accept the consequences, trusting that their loyalty is to a higher throne.

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