The Weekly Encourager - April 21, 2010 - Reputation Implication

As I meditated on these verses [see the previous two posts], I began to see how the same truths apply to government.  Another implication of "do not bear false witness" would be to guard the reputation of our government officials, and even of those seeking office.  Does this surprise you?

After last Fall's election of President Obama, I had one immediate relief: the daily tsunami of emails from the Christian rumor mill receded considerably.  We Christians, like everyone else, are tempted to assume the worst of people without solid evidence.   There's nothing wrong with trying to convince your friends to vote for your candidate; but, please, let's use issues rather than attacks!  We Christians should not stoop to the level of worldly critics.  "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...."   We should protect the reputation of all candidates.  We should be diligent to seek out the truth about all candidates.  We should be known for kindness, gentleness, and mercy.  "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone," no matter how much they deserve it.  Slander is sin, no matter who we're talking about.

To test yourself, think how you would feel if someone spread false reports about your candidate.  You would say, "They're making that up!  It's taken out of context!  They're just trying to smear him/her!" But then do you turn and use these same tactics to make the opposing candidate look as bad as possible, even when having no direct personal knowledge of the facts?  Make sure your righteous indignation is righteous.  As we compare candidates, whatever is good, pure, true, and noble, "whatever is of good report" should be what we dwell on in thought and conversation, including after someone takes office.

How often do you pray for those in authority, especially the highest officials such as president, supreme court justices, and congressional leaders?  When your candidate wins, do you thank God?   Do you pray regularly and fervently for that person, thrilled by a sense of participation in earthly and heavenly politics?  How about when the other guy wins?  Do you thank God in that case, as Scripture tells us to ("in everything give thanks"), or do you sulk and whine?  Do you pray as regularly and fervently for that person you didn't want to win?   I think we should pray for our government even more when we disagree!  "The effective prayer of a righteous man availeth much."  Maybe prayer is one of the ways we are to "overcome evil with good."

Lord Jesus, Ruler of All Nations, teach us to watch what we say and how we pray, for Your glory and for the good of the nations.

God is faithful,
j

PS  Our president is selecting a new Supreme Court justice right now.  This would be a great time to pray!

Copyright 2010 Janet A. Marney