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Moral Leadership
Does It Really Matter?
". . . The country has embraced unprecedented moral laxity. Some
people say (the U.S. president) has given no moral leadership, which
is false. (He) has led America into an acceleration of its moral decline.
A country declined to take an easy line with lies and deception, especially regarding
sexual infidelity, now has little choice but to accept cheating as common when the
President set the country's children such a startling example."
--The Daily Mail (London)
by Scott Ashley
Does morality matter? In recent weeks
and months, the world has been treated to the spectacle of poll after poll showing
that, while most Americans disapprove of revelations about the president's private
behavior, they approve of his job performance by a wide margin.
Time after time Americans have seen television commentators, legal analysts and people
on the street assure us that it's nobody's business what elected officials do in
private; the only thing that matters is how they do their job.
Does moral leadership matter? Can lack of moral values and exemplary leadership coexist?
What are the consequences of strong political power without a moral foundation?
Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
Nations everywhere seem to be drifting dangerously out of control. Russia is
close to economic collapse, its government perilously unstable. Her neighbors, including
many of the former Soviet republics, are understandably anxious and nervous. There
is nothing quite like a collapsing superpower armed with thousands of nuclear weapons
to give cause for concern.
Many Asian countries that were economic powerhouses in the global economy only a
few years ago thrown out of work, plummeting overnight from relative prosperity to
poverty.
Some Asian countries face food shortages in the coming months. People naturally look
to Japan to pull Asia out of its economic straits, but Japan is crippled by its own
governmental stalemate and is hardly in a condition to help others.
Nearby, India and Pakistan rattle their newly developed nuclear sabers at each other
while Iraq and Iran quietly pursue the development and acquisition their own nuclear,
chemical and biological arsenals. Meanwhile, much of Africa remains mired in perpetual
poverty, crippled by corrupt and incompetent leadership.
The list of world problems goes on and on. At a time of many global crises, where
have our leaders gone?
The generation of leaders forged in the fires of the Great Depression, World War
II and the Cold War has largely passed from the scene. In the last two U.S. presidential
election, voters chose telegenic baby boomer Bill Clinton over World War II veterans
George Bush, a former U.S. Navy carrier pilot; and Bob Dole, a former infantry officer
who lost the use of an arm on a battlefield in Italy.
The Daily Mail of London recently headlined an article, "Where Is the Leader
We So Badly Need?" It observed: "It seems hard to believe that only ten years ago
we still enjoyed the authoritative certainties of Thatcher and Reagan, and that we
could still also believe in Gorbachev. That now seems a vanished world, about as
distant from our present discontents as the era of Bismarck and Disraeli."
Times have changed and not for the better. If this is what we can expect from our
current crop of administrators and heads of state, what will be the quality of the
next generation to assume the reins of leadership?
Good Intentions Aren't Good Enough
For thousands of years nations and their leaders have wrestled to create a government
that would provide the most good for the greatest number of people. The longest-lived
governments have been monarchies in which absolute power passed from generation to
generation within families. Many such dynasties lasted for centuries. Tragically,
these were often long-lived simply because of their absolute control over their subjects.
Administrators and forms of governments rise and fall. This century has seen the
spectacular rise of a new form of government--communism--and its equally spectacular
collapse. Communism promised equality for all. But it was destined to fail because,
in rejecting God, it lacked a moral foundation.
History shows that many forms of government have started with good intentions, only
to fail as weaknesses become apparent. In most cases the failure came down to the
moral downfall of the leader or the general populace. Often, of course, the leader
was a reflection of the people--and vice versa.
This is evident in the present American predicament, with poll after poll showing
that most Americans want their president--an admitted liar and adulterer--to remain
in office.
Tolerance of Evil
What does this say about the American people? As The Times of London observed:
"There are many men who belong to Bill Clinton's generation and identify with him
. . . There are many women who are indulgent towards his sexual escapades.
There are many black people who see him as a sympathetic President. These people
do not want to believe the evidence; they want to explain it away."
Economist and writer Thomas Sowell noted remarkable ironies and inconsistencies coming
to light in the reactions of the American people to revelations of presidential behavior.
". . . The polls of the past several months make it hard to be optimistic
about the American public's understanding of the society in which they live or the
dangers in that kind of society," he wrote. "Consider some polls. The public has
a far more negative view of Monica Lewinsky than Bill Clinton. Since it takes two
to tango, why would you blame one more than the other--and especially the one who
is younger and who has no power and no responsibility to the nation at large?
"(Special prosecutor) Kenneth Starr's approval ratings have barely made it out of
the single digits. He is far more disliked for bringing out the truth than Bill Clinton
is for lying . . . Susan McDougal's stonewalling on Bill Clinton's part
in the Arkansas fraud has been magically transformed into something noble by the
media. More important, the public has bought it. Hey, obstruction of justice is not
so bad if she's a spunky gal . . .
"What will matter very much--and perhaps tragically--is if the public has degenerated
to the point where it can only react emotionally to what is right under their noses,
rather than understand how much this country's freedom and well-being depend on the
rule of law."
Are There Moral Absolutes?
Such findings point not just to a president but a nation dangerously adrift from
its moral moorings. The gradual acceptance of moral relativism--that moral absolutes
do not exist--shows up in the many comments that it doesn't matter what the president
does in his private life, that it's nobody's business, or it's just between him and
his wife.
Such sentiments ignore a leader's fundamental responsibility to properly lead his
people. What does it say when the nation's highest elected official, the head of
the executive branch of the U.S. government, charged with enforcing the laws of the
land, is accused of numerous felony offenses? More important, what does it say about
a people and other government officials willing to excuse such behavior?
Some 4,500 years ago another nation faced a crisis of government. Shaking off the
shackles of slavery, that nation had the opportunity to do things right. Its people
were promised peace, stability and prosperity in their homeland if they would build
upon a proper moral foundation.
After giving the ancient Israelites His law--the national constitution that would
ensure the blessings of peace and prosperity--God exclaimed, "Oh, that they had such
a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that
it might be well with them and with their children forever!" (Deuteronomy 5:29).
God knew their adherence to this moral foundation would be key to their success and
survival as a nation.
God understood the crucial role of leaders in a nation's success. He literally laid
down the law to the Israelites; He gave specific instructions for the nation's head
of government was to follow to keep it on the moral path.
". . . When he has taken his place on the seat of his kingdom," God instructed
Israel concerning its head of state, "he is to make in a book a copy of this law
. . . And it is to be with him for his reading all the days of his life,
so that he may be trained in the fear of the Lord his God to keep and do all the
words of this teaching and these laws: so that his heart may not be lifted up over
his countrymen, and he may not be turned away from the orders, to one side or the
other: but that his life and the lives of his children may be long in his kingdom
. . ." (Deuteronomy 17:18-20, Bible in Basic English).
Adherence to this law, God promised, would result in national leaders who would not
exalt themselves--would not be "lifted up"--over their people, men who would fear
God and lead their people in righteousness and truth by example.
Influence on a Nation
Speaking through the prophet Isaiah around the time of the downfall of the kingdom
of Israel, God noted that evil had spread through all levels of Israelite society.
"The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faints. From the sole of the foot even
to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores
. . ." (Isaiah 1:5-6).
God identified the nation's leaders as the source of corruption. Rather than providing
proper leadership, they were leading the kingdom to destruction. "For the leaders
of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed" (Isaiah 9:16).
Through the prophet Jeremiah, God added this sad footnote: "An astonishing and
horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and
the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so . . ."
(Jeremiah 5:30-31).
People had not only come to accept corrupt leadership, but to love it. In God's view,
this was "astonishing" and ěhorrible.î
For their sins, God allowed His people to be taken into captivity. The prophet Hosea
condemned the "spirit of harlotry" that turned them from God (Hosea 5:4). Their leaders
failed them miserably. Rather than providing moral guidance and proper example, they
appealed to people's base instincts and impulses. The result was national disaster.
Danger Signs
Abraham Lincoln recognized that the greatest dangers to a nation often come not
from external threats, but from within. "At what point then is the approach of danger
to be expected?" he asked. "I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst
us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot we must ourselves
be its author and finisher" (emphasis added).
We are witnessing a national debate over right and wrong, whether adultery and lying
are serious crimes and sins and whether they can be glossed over because of the popularity
of the perpetrator. Where will it lead? If Bible prophecy is an indicator, conditions
like those that Isaiah and Jeremiah described are likely to be the outcome.
Paul, describing trends leading up to Jesus Christ's return, wrote: "But be certain
of this, that in the last days times of trouble will come. For men will be lovers
of self, lovers of money, uplifted in pride, given to bitter words, going against
the authority of their fathers, never giving praise, having no religion, without
natural love, bitter haters, saying evil of others, violent and uncontrolled, hating
all good, false to their friends, acting without thought, lifted up in mind, loving
pleasure more than God . . ." (2Timothy 3:1-4, Bible in Basic English).
Paul describes an utterly self-centered society in which people have no regard or
use for moral values. Rejecting God's standards of conduct, they will set their own
standards using their own reasoning--reasoning that ultimately leads to suffering
and death (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).
Such a society may not be long in coming when Americans find reasons to excuse adultery
and lying and alleged perjury and obstruction of justice in their highest elected
official. In fact, we might ask ourselves if it isn't already here.
A Different Kind of Leadership
Regardless of how bleak and uncertain conditions look on the national and world
scene, God gives us encouragement. He promises a future government vastly different
from any we know today.
Regrettably, although the specific accusations are unprecedented, the leadership
crisis affecting the United States is not. All too many leaders succumb to the seduction
of power and office. Some use them to enrich themselves and a circle of friends and
associates. Some use their authority to oppress others. Some allow prestige and honor
to warp their perceptions, leading them to believe they deserve power and rule over
others. These are problems typical of powerful leaders.
But it will not always be this way. "You see that the rulers of the Gentiles
are lords over them, and their great ones have authority over them," said Jesus Christ
to some who were eager to rule over others. "Let it not be so among you: but if anyone
has a desire to become great among you, let him be your servant; and whoever has
a desire to be first among you, let him take the lowest place: even as the Son of
man did not come to have servants, but to be a servant, and to give his life for
the salvation of men" (Matthew 20:25-28, BBE).
Jesus burst the bubble for His disciples. Rather than using power to gain more power
and prestige for themselves, to put themselves above other men and women, Christ
said that true leadership has one purpose: to serve others. This kind of leadership,
He said, differs from the way most humans react when given power over others.
Jesus Christ exemplified that kind of true leadership. He taught people the solid
foundation of God's law, which would help them avoid suffering the painful consequences
of sin. He encouraged them to surrender to God in heartfelt repentance, no longer
to live only for their selfish desires. He exemplified what it means to dedicate
one's life to serving others.
Promise of True, Righteous Leadership
He also brought a message of a transformed world to come--an earth extraordinarily
changed by the arrival of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 8:1). This kingdom,
He said, would come at the climax of a series of earth-shattering events (Luke 21:31)
during which all human life would be in peril (Matthew 24:21-22).
This kingdom is destined to replace all human kingdoms, governments and authority
(Revelation 11:15; Daniel 7:14). In this kingdom, Jesus Christ will reign forever
as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Revelation 19:16).
But He will not rule alone. Others will reign with Him in His kingdom (Revelation 20:4,6). He will be joined by God's faithful servants (2Timothy 2:12), men and
women who have dedicated themselves to learning and practicing godly rulership as
defined and exemplified by Jesus Christ.
Resurrected to eternal life (Revelation 20:6), they will help administer God's righteous
government in paradise on earth in service to mankind.
God is fully aware of the weaknesses and peccadilloes of people, regardless of their
lot in life. He knows we have all sinned (Romans 3:23), but He extends forgiveness
and the power to transform our lives and minds (Romans 12:2). If we are willing to
make that commitment, He invites us to share in true leadership in His Kingdom.
Recommended Reading
America--and the other nations--are facing a time of great crisis. To better
understand why the world is in such sad condition and what lies ahead, be sure to
request your free copy of The Gospel of the Kingdom. To understand the biblical
truth about the future God has in store for you, ask for What Is Your Destiny?
and The Gospel of the Kingdom. Also, the United Church of God has just
completed a booklet, The Ten Commandments, to help you understand and live
by God's fundamental guide to human behavior. All are free for the asking at the
address in your country (or the country nearest you).
Sidebar: Finding a Right Moral Foundation
In an ironic twist, the same United States government that was founded on biblical
values and standards has increasingly removed the Bible and mention of God from classrooms,
courtrooms and public discussion. Tragically, the sure moral foundation for a nation
is largely forgotten and ignored.
One wonders what the nation's founding fathers would think of the direction America
has taken. After all, as George Washington noted, "it is impossible to rightly govern
the world without God and the Bible."
John Adams, second president of the United States, observed: "Suppose a nation in
some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book, and every member
should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be
obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness,
and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love and reverence toward Almighty
God . . . What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be."
James Madison, fourth president and a primary architect of the U.S. Constitution,
wrote that "Religion (is) the basis and Foundation of Government."
These men understood that a nation needs a solid moral foundation to survive and
thrive. They knew that individuals must keep their passions and desires in check
for the good of the whole.
They recognized one sure source of right moral values: the Bible.
Psalm 19:7-11 tells us: "The law of the Lord is good, giving new life to the soul:
the witness of the Lord is certain, giving wisdom to the foolish. The orders of the
Lord are right, making glad the heart: the rule of the Lord is holy, giving light
to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, and has no end; the decisions of the
Lord are true and full of righteousness.
"More to be desired are they than gold, even than much shining gold; sweeter than
the dropping honey. By them is your servant made conscious of danger, and in keeping
them there is great reward" (Bible in Basic English).
The Crisis of Leadership: A Biblical Perspective
What moral guidance does the Bible offer in light of the nation's leadership
plight?
God established fundamental behavioral guidelines in the Ten Commandments. They clearly
forbid sexual relations outside of marriage, and they outlaw the bearing of false
witness (Exodus 20:14,16). Jesus Christ confirmed the validity of God's law and
these commandments in particular in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:17-19,27-28,33-37; 19:18).
Proverbs 6:32-33 warns us of dangers of extramarital sex: "Whoever commits adultery
with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and
dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away."
God well understood that justice hinges on the truthfulness of witnesses in any legal
proceeding. "These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that
devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness
who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:16-19,
emphasis added throughout).
For one found to be lying in a legal proceeding, God directed swift and effective
punishment: The liar incurred the punishment the falsely accused would have received
had he been convicted (Deuteronomy 19:16-19). ". . . So you shall put away
the evil from among you. And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter
they shall not again commit such evil among you" (verses 19-20).
Our Creator desires "truth in the inward parts" (Psalm 51:6). He is ěthe God of truthî
(Isaiah 65:16). He knows that truthfulness--or lack of it--is a fundamental part
of our character. Lying is essentially selfish, indulged in to escape the consequences
of one's actions or gain advantage over others. God thus views lying as despicable.
(Be sure to request your free copy of The Ten Commandments for a greater understanding
of our Creator's basic standards for human behavior. It's free for the asking when
you contact any of our offices listed on page 2.)
Stopping Sin's Spread
We should ask ourselves why God labels some behaviors as sinful. The reaction
of much of the American public to the scandal in the highest levels of government
reveals a basic lack of understanding of why God hates sin.
The Bible defines sin as breaking God's law (1John 3:4). God knows that any sin
is harmful. In addition to bringing death (Romans 6:23), it brings on us misery and
anguish. God, a Being of infinite love (1John 4:8,16), is deeply desirous that
we don't bring unnecessary suffering on ourselves.
The apostle Paul understood how evil can spread its destruction and corruption to
others. He gave instructions that a man in an improper sexual relationship was to
be put out of the congregation (1Corinthians 5:1-5). Paul warned that this must
be done lest the man's influence spread to affect others (verse 6). To protect them
from this harmful influence, they were told to "put away from (them)selves the evil
person" (verse 13). This was a painful but necessary step to prevent inevitable greater
harm should his sin spread.
In giving them His laws, God told the ancient Israelites: "See, I have set before
you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the
Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and
His judgments, that you may live and multiply . . .
"But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, . . .
I announce to you today that you shall surely perish . . . I call heaven
and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death,
blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may
live" (Deuteronomy 30:15-19).
God wants us to choose to obey Him and not suffer the consequences of sin. This choice,
He says, will bring life and blessing. Conversely, we can choose to accept sin--a
decision far too many Americans seem to have embraced in their crisis--and the suffering
it inevitably brings.
--Scott Ashley
© 1999 United Church of God, an International Association
Related Information:
Table of Contents that includes "Moral Leadership: Does It Really Matter?"
Other Articles by Scott Ashley
Origin of article "Moral Leadership: Does It Really Matter?"
Keywords: leadership morality government tolerance power, political
Tolerance: