My younger daughter wanted to go play outside as usual, but she did something interesting. She asked me, Daddy, can I go outside?” I told her, “not now but later.” She had just finished eaten, so i wanted her to relax a bit before swinging into play time. My advice was well understood. She delayed her going and went at the right time.

Perhaps, Dinah missed her place in the program of God for the Israel nation because she wouldn’t pay attention to the father’s voice and nurturing; she went out whenever she wanted to (Genesis 34:1-2). You must learn to manage freedom. Actually, you are not totally free until you are bound to a righteous authority somewhere. God did not make a mistake by placing us under our parents and other authority figures (Luke 2:50, Galatians 4:1-2).

You must be careful of premature autonomy (Luke 15:11-16). You are not yet qualified to handle freedom if you have not learnt to stay under authority. Running away from righteous authorities is a recipe for disaster. There is a time to stay under, and at that time, you should really stay and not be a rebel. Like the Centurion, even when you seem to be ‘above’ authority or discharging authority yourself, you must still be a man under authority (Matthew 8:8-9).

One of the marks of growth and maturity in the Kingdom is that you want to be led (Romans 8:14, 1 Corinthians 11:1). You want to live your life under the authority and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the word of God as well as other righteous authorities placed in your life by God. That step you are about to take, have you checked out with “Daddy”? Have you checked out with the Holy Spirit? It must not only seem good to you, it must also seem good to the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28).

Like Dinah, people become victims of satanic assaults and mistakes in destiny when they do not carry God and righteous authorities along in their pursuit of divine destiny. That it seems right does not mean it is right; you have got to check it out with God (Proverbs 14:12, Isaiah 30:1-2). SINCERITY is key. Tell God exactly how you feel and what you would like to do if He permits you but give Him chance to interrupt and lead.

Check your moves with authority figures too. Who do you bounce ideas off? Or do you just do what occurs to you or feels right to you? Authority figures in your life most times see what you are not seeing; they have other perspectives. They are not emotional as you are. It’s not just because you need their permission but because you know you need their inputs and guidance. Focus blinds; when you are too focused on what you are doing or about to do, you become blind to other things. You need guidance! Amen!

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria