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Lack of respect toward the governing authorities |
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Many people
of the world speak evil of the governing authorities by mocking them and
slandering them, and they would like you to do the same. I exhort you not to imitate
these people, because it is not right to speak ill of the governing
authorities in the sight of God. The Scripture says that we must render to
all their due: “Honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7 – NKJV) is due, and the
governing authorities are worthy to be honored because God appointed them to
do us good. Even when scandals come through them, we must take heed that we
don’t slander them because to slander one’s neighbour is not fitting for the
saints. Consider the fact that the Scripture rebukes those who speak evil of
dignitaries, that is, the devil and all his invisible ministers, for it says
about the false teachers: “These dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority,
and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with
the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against
him a reviling accusation, but said: ‘The Lord rebuke you!’ (Jude 8-9 - NKJV)
and again: “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of
uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they
are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater
in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the
Lord” (2 Peter |
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Therefore,
if the Scripture rebukes those who slander the devil, who is the evil one and
the enemy of all believers, no wonder that it rebukes also those who speak
evil of the governing authorities even when the authorities make some
mistakes. Take heed to yourselves and shine as lights in the midst of this
generation which likes to slander the governing authorities. Remember that
you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is a
slanderer, with such a man you must not even eat (1 Corinthians |