Biblical authority must be exercised even though it is challenged-and it will be challenged. Anyone with authority will at some point be challenged.
This is true even for God himself, the source of all authority. He was challenged by Satan, and he has been continually challenged by mankind down through the centuries. But still today God is in charge, and he exercises authority over his universe.
All leaders are challenged. Moses was challenged. David was challenged. Jesus was challenged. Paul was challenged.
In your own areas of authority, you will be challenged as well. You can count on it, for example, as a parent. But when problems with your children arise, determine that you will take the responsibility God has given you, and realize that God will help you carry it out. Do it in God’s way.
As many times as not when you have trouble with your children, you may need to examine yourself first. On more than one occasion when I thought some problem was due to my children and their bad attitude, I found out that I needed to change my own attitude, and then theirs changed as well.
He who has been given authority must exercise it even though he is challenged, but he must do so in a biblical manner. Husbands are to love their wives and to avoid being harsh with them (Colossians 3:19); fathers are to avoid provoking their children (Ephesians 6:4) and making them bitter and discouraged (Colossians 3:21); governors are to rule justly in the fear of the Lord (2 Samuel 23:3); employers are to avoid making threats (Ephesians 6:9); and spiritual leaders are to serve as examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3).