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DO NOT speak evil of dignitaries

When President Trump was in power, all the anti-Trump folks spoke evil against him continually. Now that President Biden is president, it’s the other side’s turn and they sure mock his dementia and what he tries to say and do. Our presidents may or may not have wrecked the country, but the point of this blog will still stand. Governors, senators and mayors also are routinely mocked. But I hope and pray, not by or from the people of God.

Scripture totally backs me up in saying that, as you’ll see. I hope you will read the scriptures below, slowly and carefully. It’s going to get harder and harder for believers to respect government offices and authority, as their persecution of us will grow intensely in the coming years. We must still respect their office.

We should not mock them, make fun of their names, despise them, or ridicule their policies – no matter how tempting that is sometimes.

We are not of the elephant party (Republicans). We are not of the donkey party (Democrats). We are of the Lamb of God. And let’s act like children of God. Even in Moses’ day, this is what was taught:

EXODUS 22:28    "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.”

What we’re about to read was all penned by Paul, Peter, and Jude – ALL three of whom were wrongly beheaded by the governing authorities. God delivered them several times. Paul was left for dead in Lystra after being stoned but he rose up again and went straight back into the city.

Peter was captured during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Acts 12) and guarded by 16 Roman soldiers who even chained him up. Angels miraculously delivered him and the innocent 16 Roman soldiers were killed instead. I say innocent because how do you battle with the unseen supernatural deliverance Peter received?

My point is, in spite of all this, these apostles command us to be respectful and never curse our leaders or ridicule them. Some of you good friends of mine do that. We should not. That must stop. We must RESPECT government and authority, whether we agree with them or like them or not.

Jude 8-10 “Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 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!" 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.”

1 Peter 2:13-17   “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men — 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor ALL people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. HONOR the king”. 

2 Peter 2:9-11   “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous and self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.” 

You can read all through verse 7 in Romans 13. Some brethren don’t pay taxes and feel they don’t have to. Romans 13:6-7 is very clear on taxes. Read it in your own Bible.

Romans 13:1-2   “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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

So I know it’s tempting to ridicule, mock, name-call, and despise our government leaders – of either party – but I hope we can take the admonition of scripture and honor them instead. At least for their office’s sake.

11
Are you a real “Berean”?
On Eagles’ Wings (Ex. 19:4)? - NEW
 

Comments 6

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Bill Christian on Monday, 08 May 2023 20:17
Respect Leaders

Great article and great advice. I definitely need to improve in this area. Thank you for the timely reminder.

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Great article and great advice. I definitely need to improve in this area. Thank you for the timely reminder.
Randy Freeze on Monday, 27 May 2024 16:28

Hi Bill,

I feel the same way this is an area that needs improvement in my life also.

0
Hi Bill, I feel the same way this is an area that needs improvement in my life also.
Gwen Biedler on Tuesday, 09 May 2023 18:48
Having respect for the office...

Thank you, Philip, for making it abundantly clear that we must not speak evil of the leaders that God puts into place to suit His purpose. I must admit I've been guilty in the past of putting them down for their short-comings, but don't we ALL have them!? So, now, reminding myself that everything happening is either being allowed by God or caused by Him will help me to keep from doing this, so thank you for making it abundantly clear. I think what caused me to do what I did in the first place, was knowing that satan was behind them all, using them like puppets, so, I would forget that God was still very much in control.
Regarding "Speak evil of Dignitaries," or, "Slandering the glorious ones," the glorious ones in the Greek is 'doxa' and it means "to make a jest of the heavenly glories," which are obviously God, Christ, the Holy Angels and God's Chosen Ones. Those who diss them do not respect God or His realm, in fact, they disdain it. Would you agree?

2
Thank you, Philip, for making it abundantly clear that we must not speak evil of the leaders that God puts into place to suit His purpose. I must admit I've been guilty in the past of putting them down for their short-comings, but don't we ALL have them!? So, now, reminding myself that everything happening is either being allowed by God or caused by Him will help me to keep from doing this, so thank you for making it abundantly clear. I think what caused me to do what I did in the first place, was knowing that satan was behind them all, using them like puppets, so, I would forget that God was still very much in control. Regarding "Speak evil of Dignitaries," or, "Slandering the glorious ones," the glorious ones in the Greek is 'doxa' and it means "to make a jest of the heavenly glories," which are obviously God, Christ, the Holy Angels and God's Chosen Ones. Those who diss them do not respect God or His realm, in fact, they disdain it. Would you agree?
George Otieno on Wednesday, 10 May 2023 01:45
Timely, Relevant Message and Advice

Thank you so much Philip for this timely, relevant message and advice. Without minting words, I have on several occasions been guilty of speaking evil of earthly civil dignitaries due to wrong teaching and negatively preconceived ideas and opinions about them. May the Almighty God forgive me and help me to do His Will in this respect because I now know and understand better as a result of this blog. Be blessed and to God be all the Glory. George Otieno Owato, Kenya Minister.

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Thank you so much Philip for this timely, relevant message and advice. Without minting words, I have on several occasions been guilty of speaking evil of earthly civil dignitaries due to wrong teaching and negatively preconceived ideas and opinions about them. May the Almighty God forgive me and help me to do His Will in this respect because I now know and understand better as a result of this blog. Be blessed and to God be all the Glory. George Otieno Owato, Kenya Minister.
Francis Gisiri Mwita on Friday, 02 June 2023 17:57
Francis Gisiri Mwita

Thank you very much for seeing it well to share this wonderful message to us.
Shalom!

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Thank you very much for seeing it well to share this wonderful message to us. Shalom!
Ondigo Ochieng on Sunday, 30 July 2023 21:05
Speaking evil of the dignitaries

I have fallen of such. We have political regimes that have been so harsh to us. Living under the corrupt and tribalistic regimes have made us utter some negative comments on them. However, we are grateful for sharing this blog to help us understand that Yahweh is the one allowing them to reign. Thank you so very much Philip for sharing your inspiration to help us respect our leaders. May our Abba Father forgive us and help us respect our leaders.
Ondigo Ochieng- Kenya.

1
I have fallen of such. We have political regimes that have been so harsh to us. Living under the corrupt and tribalistic regimes have made us utter some negative comments on them. However, we are grateful for sharing this blog to help us understand that Yahweh is the one allowing them to reign. Thank you so very much Philip for sharing your inspiration to help us respect our leaders. May our Abba Father forgive us and help us respect our leaders. Ondigo Ochieng- Kenya.