We can go God’s way or our way when we deal with leaders. These are people who, like all of us, have limitations, faults, and errors. Some, however, are motivated by works of darkness. God’s way is to stand for what is good and right, to speak the truth in love, to follow the impressions of the Holy Spirit, and to pray for our enemies. To ask the Lord to raise up righteous leaders.

When Paul was beginning the defense of his actions to the religious high council, Scripture tells us he gazed intently at them and said: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”(Acts 23:1). 

Ananias, the high priest, instantly commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?” Those standing near Paul asked him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?” Immediately, Paul responded, “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest, and the Scriptures say we must not speak evil of any of our rulers.”  (see vs. 2-5).

The word “evil” used here is defined as something diseased. A disease starts with an infection and makes someone miserably sick. Speaking evil infects and produces something morally wrong and improper—a disease of our soul.

Aligning with evil can take many forms. Protesting in a mob of angry people will always hijack our testimony. Placards of disgust and name-calling are a sign that our old nature is at war with our new nature. Our alignment with hatred, rage, division, and manipulation is an infection that spreads and becomes a disease of death. 

When we stand for God’s truth in our response to leaders, we are empowered to boldly face the reality of brokenness and evil in the world and proclaim that there is a higher way. There is the way of Truth. There is the way of Light. There is the way of Life.