In God’s kingdom, authority is not about control — it’s about order. From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveals a divine structure: God rules all things, and within His creation, He appoints lines of authority for the sake of protection, responsibility, and blessing.
When people operate outside of that structure — when they refuse to be governed by God, by parents, by a spouse, or by spiritual leadership — they become spiritually rogue. They may look functional on the outside, but in the realm of the spirit, they are thugs: unsubmitted, unaccountable, and dangerous to themselves and others.
This is the reality of many single parents today: not widows or widowers, not those abandoned unfairly — but those who choose to live without authority. They do not answer to God’s design, to spiritual counsel, or even to their own conscience. They raise children without divine guidance. They make decisions without alignment. And then they wonder why chaos reigns in their homes.
1 Corinthians 11:3 provides a clear picture: “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” This is not hierarchy for ego — it is order for harmony. Authority is God’s way of maintaining clarity, discipline, and unity. In the family: God is the ultimate source of all authority. Husbands are to lead in love under Christ. Wives are to support and partner in strength. Children are to be nurtured under both parents.
Single adults are to remain under the authority of their parents or spiritual covering until covenant is formed through marriage. But what happens when people step outside this structure? Chaos. Confusion. Disorder. Thuggery.
Many single parents today are not accountable to anyone. They don’t submit to pastoral oversight. They don’t heed godly counsel. Some don’t even allow their own parents to speak into their lives. Their mantra is, “I know what’s best for my kids.” But knowledge without submission is pride. And pride is the soil in which spiritual rebellion grows.
These parents raise children with no spiritual compass. They dismiss correction. They curse those who question them. They act as lawmaker, judge, and executioner in their homes. And sadly, their children often follow suit — growing into teenagers and adults who resist correction, resent authority, and repeat the cycle. They don’t realize: a thug can only raise a thug. And it all begins when a parent refuses to come under the very authority they want their children to respect.
A parent who is not under spiritual authority is like a free-range chicken — roaming without boundaries, pecking without purpose, exposed to every predator. They make their own rules. They change partners frequently. They claim God but do not obey Him. They ask for blessings but reject instruction. This is not strength. Its rebellion dressed as independence.
Romans 13:1 reminds us: “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.” When you live outside of authority, you live outside of blessing. You become vulnerable to deception, manipulation, and sin. And so do your children.
Children don’t learn obedience by lectures — they learn it by watching who you obey. If you respect no one, they will respect no one. If you submit to no one, they will submit to no one. If you justify rebellion, they will practice it. You cannot raise God-fearing children when you live as if you are your own god.
Many single parents insist that their children obey, yet they themselves obey no spiritual law. They pick and choose the Scripture. They attend church occasionally but reject discipline. They quote God when convenient but disregard Him when challenged. And their children see it.
And imitate it. You are either modeling humility under authority — or normalizing rebellion in disguise. We live in a culture that calls rebellion “strength,” pride “self-worth,” and disobedience “independence.” But God sees through it all.
Isaiah 1:19–20 says: “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword...” Many single parents are praying for provision, peace, and protection — while refusing to submit to God’s order. You cannot reap God’s promise while resisting His principle. Submission is not weakness — it is the gateway to divine favor.
If you find yourself parenting from a place of pride, independence, or isolation — repent. Don’t justify it. Don’t spiritualize it. Just turn back. Seek spiritual covering. Submit to godly counsel. Return to the authority of God’s Word. Confess where you walked in pride. Model submission, so your children learn it. It is never too late to realign. The moment you step back under God’s covering, He begins to restore what rebellion destroyed.
In the end, God does not want us to act like lawless people, parenting in our own name, raising children in spiritual chaos. He wants us to be sons and daughters — submitted, surrendered, secure in His leadership. And from that place of obedience, we can raise children who honor authority — not because they’re forced, but because they’ve seen it lived. Let the thuggery end with you. Let spiritual order begin in your home. Let God lead, so you can lead well.
When people operate outside of that structure — when they refuse to be governed by God, by parents, by a spouse, or by spiritual leadership — they become spiritually rogue. They may look functional on the outside, but in the realm of the spirit, they are thugs: unsubmitted, unaccountable, and dangerous to themselves and others.
This is the reality of many single parents today: not widows or widowers, not those abandoned unfairly — but those who choose to live without authority. They do not answer to God’s design, to spiritual counsel, or even to their own conscience. They raise children without divine guidance. They make decisions without alignment. And then they wonder why chaos reigns in their homes.
1 Corinthians 11:3 provides a clear picture: “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” This is not hierarchy for ego — it is order for harmony. Authority is God’s way of maintaining clarity, discipline, and unity. In the family: God is the ultimate source of all authority. Husbands are to lead in love under Christ. Wives are to support and partner in strength. Children are to be nurtured under both parents.
Single adults are to remain under the authority of their parents or spiritual covering until covenant is formed through marriage. But what happens when people step outside this structure? Chaos. Confusion. Disorder. Thuggery.
Many single parents today are not accountable to anyone. They don’t submit to pastoral oversight. They don’t heed godly counsel. Some don’t even allow their own parents to speak into their lives. Their mantra is, “I know what’s best for my kids.” But knowledge without submission is pride. And pride is the soil in which spiritual rebellion grows.
These parents raise children with no spiritual compass. They dismiss correction. They curse those who question them. They act as lawmaker, judge, and executioner in their homes. And sadly, their children often follow suit — growing into teenagers and adults who resist correction, resent authority, and repeat the cycle. They don’t realize: a thug can only raise a thug. And it all begins when a parent refuses to come under the very authority they want their children to respect.
A parent who is not under spiritual authority is like a free-range chicken — roaming without boundaries, pecking without purpose, exposed to every predator. They make their own rules. They change partners frequently. They claim God but do not obey Him. They ask for blessings but reject instruction. This is not strength. Its rebellion dressed as independence.
Romans 13:1 reminds us: “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.” When you live outside of authority, you live outside of blessing. You become vulnerable to deception, manipulation, and sin. And so do your children.
Children don’t learn obedience by lectures — they learn it by watching who you obey. If you respect no one, they will respect no one. If you submit to no one, they will submit to no one. If you justify rebellion, they will practice it. You cannot raise God-fearing children when you live as if you are your own god.
Many single parents insist that their children obey, yet they themselves obey no spiritual law. They pick and choose the Scripture. They attend church occasionally but reject discipline. They quote God when convenient but disregard Him when challenged. And their children see it.
And imitate it. You are either modeling humility under authority — or normalizing rebellion in disguise. We live in a culture that calls rebellion “strength,” pride “self-worth,” and disobedience “independence.” But God sees through it all.
Isaiah 1:19–20 says: “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword...” Many single parents are praying for provision, peace, and protection — while refusing to submit to God’s order. You cannot reap God’s promise while resisting His principle. Submission is not weakness — it is the gateway to divine favor.
If you find yourself parenting from a place of pride, independence, or isolation — repent. Don’t justify it. Don’t spiritualize it. Just turn back. Seek spiritual covering. Submit to godly counsel. Return to the authority of God’s Word. Confess where you walked in pride. Model submission, so your children learn it. It is never too late to realign. The moment you step back under God’s covering, He begins to restore what rebellion destroyed.
In the end, God does not want us to act like lawless people, parenting in our own name, raising children in spiritual chaos. He wants us to be sons and daughters — submitted, surrendered, secure in His leadership. And from that place of obedience, we can raise children who honor authority — not because they’re forced, but because they’ve seen it lived. Let the thuggery end with you. Let spiritual order begin in your home. Let God lead, so you can lead well.
