What If Leaders are Hypocritical?

Next Part An Important Responsibility

If leaders lie, cheat, steal and evidence corruption, are Christians “off the hook” in their requirement to obey them? Must their conduct always command respect? Are individuals free to decide who is, and who is not, worthy of honour?

Christ answered these questions when He gave His disciples important instruction about the hypocrisy and terrible conduct of certain religious leaders who held power over the Jews: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (Matt. 23:2-4). Regardless of how leaders conduct themselves, either in their personal lives or in carrying out their official duties, they must be obeyed. But their ungodly examples are not to be copied.

By respecting those who hold offices through the authority and permission of God, we actually show respect to God Himself. While their personal conduct may be far from praiseworthy, even to the point where some corrupt the very government that they represent, they are still appointed by God to preserve order and punish law-breakers and wrongdoers. Make no mistake, those who are preserving order and exercising authority within man’s governments are doing it on God’s behalf. He is working out a purpose that is probably far different than what any personal agenda for “improvement” would solve. When leaders are self-serving—or even outright devilish—it is God’s responsibility to remove them—NOT OURS!

Speak No Evil of Leaders

Peter spoke of those who “despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities” (II Pet. 2:10). Some people utter outrageous slander against those in authority—for real or imagined wrongs. They “presume” that it is alright to do this, lacking the fear (“are not afraid”) necessary to hold them back in their attacks against dignitaries (dignities). Such people, themselves, lack even normal human dignity in this regard.

Have you heard the saying, “A little bird told me”? Wise King Solomon warned all to “Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter” (Ec. 10:20). Besides the fact that slander is wrong, it is also foolish. Eventually, the “king,” or any leader, will hear what was said.

Paul wrote, “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:1-2). Does this verse describe you? Or do you reflect cynicism, bitterness, anger and accusation toward others? The instruction is all-encompassing—“Speak evil of NO MAN.”

Be careful what you say and do, because God also inspired Solomon to record, “An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire” (Prov. 16:27). I have seen many people who traffic in gossip, innuendo, slander, storytelling and relentless character assassination of leaders of all kinds. They spew “fire” all over those that they attack, seeking to consume them. They presume that they are acting with impunity, even though God says they should fear speaking such evil (Rom. 13:4). They will not get away with this defamation!

Submit Yourselves

Peter also gave important instruction about what God expects of Christians in their responsibility toward civil governments. He wrote, “SUBMIT yourselves to every ordinance of man FOR THE LORD’S SAKE: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men…Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king” (I Pet. 2:13-15,17).

“Submit yourselves”—this is what we should do. The term, “for the Lord’s sake,” clarifies that it is God who wishes us to submit to “every ordinance” of men’s governments.

Note that Peter did not state, “OBEY every ordinance.” Why? Because some laws are contrary to God’s direct instructions and cannot be obeyed. The following account from the book of Acts illustrates this important point. The apostles had been commanded by the authorities (Ac 4:16-18) to no longer preach anything about Christ—or to invoke His authority.

Here is how they responded: “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge you” (Ac 4:19). The account continues in the next chapter, after the disciples had been arrested, imprisoned and called to account for disregarding the command to cease preaching Christ’s name. Acts 5:29states, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN.”

A conversation ensued. Gamaliel, a respected leader, urged the Council to stop further harassment of the apostles. The account continues, “And to him [Gamaliel] they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go” (Ac 5:40). The apostles certainly submitted to the beating. Also, they did not lash out and hurl accusations and epithets of every conceivable kind against those who had so unjustly dealt with them. They willingly accepted the consequences of putting God’s way before the wrong-headed instructions of blinded men. They obeyed God rather than men.

In giving instructions for such circumstances, Paul wrote, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:6). Should you ever be faced with the decision to “obey God rather than men,” keep this encouraging verse close to heart.

Should You Pay Taxes?

Various popular “movements” have arisen, teaching the idea that “we do not really have to pay taxes,” or “paying income tax is unconstitutional.” Usually, this is accompanied by some kind of theological explanation for why this is really what God approves. It is NOT!

Here is what Christ said when asked this question. He was plain—impossible to misunderstand: “Tell us therefore, What think you? Is it lawful to give tribute [taxes] unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt you Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny. And He said unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto Him, Caesar’s. Then said He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left Him, and went their way” (Matt. 22:17-22).

Christ labeled the attitude of seeking to get around paying taxes as hypocritical and wicked. Those who cheat the government are absolute thieves! Of course, anyone can make a simple mistake. That is different. However, those who seek not to pay taxes are directly disobeying Christ’s plain instructions.

Sometimes it seems as though there is not enough money to pay all the bills. It takes faith to pay both the taxes of men and the tithes that belong to God. You have to rely on God to help you pay what you owe to both Him and man. Notice the following account: “And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your Master pay tribute? He said, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What think you, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?

Peter said unto him, Of strangers. Jesus said unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go you to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first comes up; and when you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for Me and you” (Matt. 17:24-27).

The point? God has the power to give you enough money to satisfy the tax collectors. He is unlimited in what He can do—or how He does it. This includes putting money into the mouth of a fish to supply your financial needs. (None has ever had to experience this in order to pay their taxes!) The one who relies on God never needs to worry. God will keep His promise to provide for him. (To learn more, read our booklets End All Your Financial Worries and What Is Real Faith?)

It is also important to never pay these taxes grudgingly. God commands that we pay taxes—therefore, we should do this as willingly as we follow any other of His commands!