Do Not Speak Evil of Your Ruler

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 40
NT: Acts 23
W&W: Proverbs 31

Today’s Reflection:

The Apostle Paul, in Acts 23.5, said “It is written, ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’” Paul said this in an apology, after he had mistakenly broken this law by calling the high priest a white washed wall. To be fair to Paul, the high priest had broken the law by ordering that Paul be struck on the mouth, and Paul did not know that he was the high priest.

There are some learning points in this story:
We can mistakenly – through bad information and assumptions – accuse our leaders.
If we do we should acknowledge and repent as soon as possible.
Even if we think our ruler is wrong, we should not speak evil of him/her. (David displayed this spirit in his response to King Saul.)
If we are in a situation where we feel we cannot respect our leader we should “remove ourselves” from being under his/her leadership – without making a scene! (Or go to “the next level” if the breach of integrity is serious enough.)
Under no circumstances is it right to malign our leader in his/her absence to our peers or subordinates.
Be careful not to insult or denigrate the leader in front of others. Air your differences privately.

If you are a leader, you must also do your part from preventing those who follow you from feeling the need to speak evil about you:

1. Be open to feedback.
2. Forgive and forget – Do not hold grudges!
3. Always display a kind spirit.
4. Do not speak evil about your followers.

Any comments about this? In our scripture, Paul – and the Old Testament passage he referenced – was concerned with how we respond to spiritual leaders. Are these truths applicable in the modern church environment? How about in the work environment? And is there application to how we speak of political leaders? Give me some feedback on this one!

May God bless you on this Friday!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.7-8: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.