DAILY TEXT, Wednesday, November 19, 2025. You have been saved by undeserved kindness (Eph. 2:5).

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Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Submit yourselves to the superior authorities (Rom. 13:1).

In general, people recognize that governments are necessary and that at least some of the laws of these “superior authorities” must be obeyed (Rom. 13:1). But when they perceive a law as unfair or as requiring too much of them, they are no longer so willing to obey it. Consider, for example, the payment of taxes. According to a survey conducted in a European country, one in four people believe that “if someone considers a tax unfair, it is fine for them not to pay it.” Because of this view, it is not surprising that the citizens of that country pay only about 65 percent of the taxes the government asks of them.

Why do we obey laws, even those we don't like?

According to the Bible, human governments cause suffering, are under Satan’s control, and will soon be destroyed (Ps. 110:5, 6; Eccl. 8:9; Luke 4:5, 6). But it also tells us that “whoever opposes the authority opposes God.” For now, Jehovah allows governments to exist so that things do not get out of control, and he expects us to respect them. That is why we should “give to all their due,” and that includes paying taxes, honoring them, and obeying them (Rom. 13:1-7).

We may feel that obeying a certain law is inconvenient for us, too costly, or perhaps the problem is that we consider it unfair. But we obey Jehovah, and he expects us to obey governments, as long as they do not ask us to do something that goes against divine laws (Acts 5:29).

According to Luke 2:1-6, what did Joseph and Mary do to comply with a decree that was difficult to obey? And what were the results?

We can learn much from Joseph and Mary. They were ready to obey superior authorities even when it was difficult to do so (read Luke 2:1-6). For example, their obedience was tested when Mary was about nine months pregnant. It turns out that the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken. To comply with that decree, Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem. That required traveling about 150 kilometers (93 miles) through mountainous terrain.

The journey would not be easy, especially for Mary. They may have both been worried about her well-being and that of the baby. What if she went into labor while they were on the way? Mary was carrying the one who would become the Messiah! Would that have been a valid reason to disobey the decree? Joseph and Mary did not use any of these concerns as an excuse to disobey the law. And Jehovah blessed them for their obedience: Mary arrived safely in Bethlehem, gave birth to a healthy baby, and even contributed to the fulfillment of a Bible prophecy (Micah 5:2).

How might our obedience help other brothers and sisters?

If we obey the superior authorities, both we and others benefit. How so? For one thing, we avoid the punishment that the authorities impose on those who disregard the law (Rom. 13:4). And for another, our individual obedience can influence how the authorities view Jehovah’s Witnesses as a group.

That is what happened in Nigeria a few decades ago. A group of soldiers entered a Kingdom Hall during a meeting. They were looking for people who were violently protesting against taxes. But the officer in charge ordered the soldiers to leave. He told them: “Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t go around protesting against paying taxes.” Every time you obey the laws, you contribute to making Jehovah’s people’s reputation better. And one day that good reputation could protect your brothers and sisters. (Matt. 5:16)

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