Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. – Romans 13:1

Is following the Deceiver’s Motto – Have it your way  , no one has the “right” to tell me what I can and can’t do ,   an attitude that benefits me?

I think not.  Sure at first glance, exercising the Deceiver’s Motto seems to make sense. I can make my own decisions, I have legit “rights” after all.  Seems like an empowering statement. But knowing the sneakiness of Satan, this way of thinking should raise a red flag. A red flag because it’s a lie, although a subtle one, because we do have rights, but they’re within boundaries. We’ll always find that we’re under someone’s authority.  That could be parents, employers, teachers, government, and ultimately God. And exercising our “rights” unrestrained, is often a decision of rebellion that result in negative consequences.

Zephaniah’s purpose was/is to help people recognize their need to repent and turn back to God.  To show people how their choices have resulted in their current predicament.  To help people  realize that it’s better to follow God, as Lord of our lives, our ultimate authority, than to do life apart from God, or without God.