Evil Dignitaries?

According to Webster’s Dictionary the definition of the word dignitaries is, one who possesses exalted rank or holds a position of dignity or honor. Would you say that President Barack Obama holds a position of honer? Now, here is my point. I have had to re-think the way I think about the President, Senators and Congressmen right down to my hometown Mayor. Why? Take a look at 2 Peter chapter 2. In this chapter Peter reminds us of two key figures in our Christian walk of faith, Noah and Lot. Specifically he touches on what the civilization was like during their time here on Earth. You’ll remember that God saw that man was violent and that their thoughts were continually evil, we know this from Genesis chapter 6:5-13. Lot? Well he lived amongst a sexually unclean civilization and we are told that it grieved him to his core, or soul, because of what he had to watch going on around him. Now certainly you and I can relate to both these men, in the sense that we are living in a world that is replicating the lifestyle of their day. Would you not? Is sin abounding? Is sexual immorality a problem? Is violence on the rise? My point, is not to “point” out the similarities of the different ages but rather something else that Peter points out in his Epistle. Look at verses 9 & 10 of 2 Peter chapter 2.

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.” Stop right there!

Did you see that? Those that despise government and speak evil of dignitaries are lumped into the group of people that not only walk after the flesh but will be punished on judgment day. I don’t know about you but I must confess that my thoughts and speech regarding our Government has been anything but glorifying to the Lord. Am I alone on this one? I am not saying that we can’t be grieved by what we see them doing. But how are we handling it? Are we taking our concerns to God in prayer or are we running around complaining and speaking evil of the Nancy Pelosis, Harry Reeds and yes, even the Barney Franks?

As you move into verse 11 of 2 Peter 2, we learn that the Angels of Heaven do not even speak evil concerning the worlds rulers, and they are higher beings than we. Why is that? Romans chapter 13. The Angels know that all these world leaders are placed there for a reason, time and by the Lord himself? What!?! The Lord? Yes.

Look, I love listening to Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity just as much as the next guy. But the voice we all need to listen to is the voice of our Father in Heaven. The Bible tells us in Romans chapter 13 that God has ordained our leadership and to resist our leadership is to resist our God. Again, I am not saying we lie down and do everything they tell us to do. What I am saying however, is that we need to be careful about what we are saying about our leaders both Spiritual and Carnal.

I can’t speak for you, but I certainly do not want to be lumped in with all those characters lost in the flood or in Sodom simply because I couldn’t hold my tongue in regards to our Nation’s Leaders. Romans 13, which speaks concerning our submission to worldly leadership closes with these words;

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”

So, I ask. Could speaking evil of our leaders be fulfilling the lusts of the flesh? Just a thought.