The integrity of leaders matters. Honesty matters. Yet, with every scandal, a politician somewhere will argue that what happened behind closed doors does not matter—sort of the “what happens in Vegas” defense.
But when you are a leader, what you do always matters.
When President Clinton cheated on his wife with a White House intern 27 years younger than he, he had to answer questions about his behavior during nearly every day of 1998. His defense during more than twelve months of questioning from journalists, politicians, and the Special Counsel was, “I have to get back to the work of the American people.” He and his advocates—including numerous feminists—kept arguing:
“What a man does in his private life is a private affair. The president must get back to the business of running the country.”
These women sacrificed their credibility as feminists to defend one of the most powerful men in the world after he had an 18-month affair with an intern 27 years his junior. President Clinton, the leader of our nation, was wrong. The leaders of the feminist movement who defended the womanizer were also wrong. Just as the philanderers in every capitol city are wrong today—on both sides of the aisle.
When leaders dishonor their marriage vows, they hurt all of us. The private harm they do to their families is worse, of course. But the nation does not escape unscathed.
Actions have consequences. The actions of leaders have consequences for those who follow them.
Yet I remember the daily, nearly hourly arguments about the Clinton-Lewinsky affair. You could get caught up in it. It was not unpersuasive. Bill Clinton was charismatic, sincere, and charming, more Jack Kennedy than Richard Nixon. Clinton could look at the camera with just the right combination of sadness, contrition, and a glint of anger, and say in slow, measured tones: “this is a private matter for me … and my family … and my God. And now I’ve got to get back to the work of the American people” –and you wanted to believe him. You wanted to believe his gnostic arguments.
Because that’s what it was: Gnosticism.[1]
Gnosticism comes from the Greek work gnosis, the root of the English word knowledge. But there is more to this heresy than the notion that you are saved only when you find some secret knowledge. Modern Gnosticism focuses on the heretical belief that the physical body is unimportant, and therefore, what a man does with his physical body is of no consequence. Rather than paying attention to the physical body, Gnostics would advise you to focus on your heart. This modern iteration of an ancient cult has swept across America: the body does not matter; the only thing that matters is that you follow your heart. Of course, that is ridiculous.
God knew we were crafty, creative creatures, always looking for ways to get into trouble. “God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices” Ecclesiastes 7:29. To protect us, God gave us laws. Not hearts. Our hearts do not protect us. “The heart is deceitful above all things,” Jeremiah 17:9.
It is God’s law that protects us—the law and the prophets. God gave us His word—sixty-six books filled with wisdom and guidance.
When leaders break God’s laws, both the leaders and those they lead suffer the consequences. But when leaders obey God’s wisdom, both the leaders and those they lead reap the benefits.
The Prophet Isaiah praises leaders with integrity:
“Behold, a king will reign in righteousness
and his princes will rule with justice.
Each one will be like a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm,
like streams of water in the desert
and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.
“Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be dim,
and the ears of those who hear will listen.
The fearful heart will know and understand,
and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear” Isaiah 32:1-4.
Isaiah employs rich word pictures: leaders with integrity will be a shelter from the wind, and a refuge from the storm. They will be streams and shade in the desert.
In other words, upright leaders provide SHELTER for their people.
And then what happens? Those who see, see better. Those who hear, hear more clearly. The fearful will have wisdom and understanding, and the one who struggles to speak will speak clearly and fluently.
That is, leaders with integrity do not merely shelter those who follow them. They heal them, somehow. They make their lives better.
The character of politicians matters. Integrity matters. Morals are not a “private affair.”
Many members of my tribe, even my family, have defended the election of men of questionable character by saying, “we are not choosing a pastor.” They go on to argue that God used Nebuchadnezzar and King Cyrus to bless Israel.
But what God may have done with a pagan king through His all-wise Providence and Grace, does not change my responsibility to steward my vote in a way that I believe will bring God glory. I believe it is my responsibility to vote for leaders who will effectively enact a Biblical approach to governance (and yes, to be ‘effective,’ one must win). Whether such a choice fits neatly into one party or another or somewhere in between will be a matter for prayer and research.
But character merits consideration as well. Character is not merely a so-called “private matter.” Character, integrity, honesty, dare I say, virtue, should be considered. There are strategic decisions in politics. Sometimes the most deserving, even the most virtuous, may not be able defeat the candidate from the other party during the general election and thus, may not be the best choice in the primaries. There are many factors to consider in politics and I understand that.
But I want you to recognize this factor: character does matter.
When leaders break God’s laws, both the leaders and those they lead suffer the consequences.
But when leaders obey God’s wisdom, both the leaders and those they lead reap the benefits.
Dear God, give us leaders with integrity! Bring us leaders who will pursue justice, leaders You can use to shelter us and to heal us, like those of Isaiah 32:1-4.
AΩ
[1] For an excellent discussion of modern Gnosticism, consider this article published by the Gospel Coalition: https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/ancient-heresy-driving-modern-identity/
Household Words: 