Here’s a law about what comes out of our mouths (or our fingers on our phones and keyboards!).
“Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people” (Exodus 22 v 28)
Interestingly, God and the ‘ruler’ of people are placed together. This commands how we speak about both. The law puts both together and suggests that the one who curses heaven rarely respects earth’s authorities, and the one who habitually rails at every leader has usually stopped fearing God somewhere along the way. Scripture is full of people who spoke truth to power, and leaders are never above correction. But there is a world of difference between a warning and cursing.
We live in an age when cursing our rulers has become a national pastime. Yet Peter, writing under an emperor who would soon kill him, could still say, “Fear God, honour the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).
Ultimately, this command points us to Christ. He stood before rulers who abused their power more than any. They struck him, mocked him, and unjustly condemned him. And yet “when they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats” (1 Peter 2:23).
Before we post, share, or comment, ask a few questions. Is this true? Is it necessary? Would I say it to their face? Have I prayed for them as often as I have complained about them? It is hard to curse someone you are genuinely praying for.
That is the standard: a tongue governed by the fear of God.
Before we speak of those over us, it is worth asking whether we have first spoken to God about them.
