The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. – Proverbs 13:5

Today's Scripture Reading (December 28, 2025): Proverbs 13

Those in public life, from politicians or political appointees to Pastors, are often presented with a choice; they can lie and keep their positions, or they can tell the truth and lose. It is an unenviable place to be in. The political world is littered with people who chose the second path. The first President I remember having this kind of radical honesty was Jimmy Carter. Carter is recognized as the best post-President the United States has ever possessed. Still, the truth was that he was an honest President that the United States needed in the wake of Watergate and Richard Nixon's resignation. Unfortunately, the voters didn't understand that at the time. They didn't want an honest President; they wanted one who would agree with them, even if that agreement was a lie. The second President I think suffered from terminal honesty was President George Bush; the first one, not the second. One of the most memorable statements of this President Bush was his assertion, "Read my lips; no new taxes." Of course, then he raised taxes. Some argue that raising taxes was a breach of a promise and a moment of dishonesty by the President, but I am not convinced. I believe that President Bush was being honest when he said he had no intention of raising taxes, but he was being equally forthright when circumstances changed, and the new taxes proved necessary in his evolving world. It is no wonder that both of these Presidents were elected to only one term. I think they both deserved a better fate, but that is just my opinion.

I often wonder if Pastors really believe everything they say. There is always pressure to adopt the beliefs of those who control the church's destiny, rather than to speak what is right and part of the leaders' beliefs.

Proverbs remind us that there really is no choice—the righteous hate what is false. So, if what is false is present, righteousness is not. It is a long journey that most of us have toward righteousness, but the closer we get to it, the more we hate what is not true.

And maybe it is long past time we began to reward the speaking of truth, even if it is not what we believe. Because politicians are trusted to do what is right for our nation, regardless of what we think, and pastors are the modern-day prophets who need to be allowed to speak their truth and challenge our beliefs. If we can find people that we trust in these positions, then they deserve our support regardless of what we might believe.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Proverbs 14