“Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.”
The definition of revile is criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner.
The definition of curse is an offensive word or phrase used to express anger or annoyance. It could also, in this case, mean a prayer or invocation for harm or injury to come upon one.
This verse has two parts that you must pay attention to: A) treatment of other gods (with a little "g" - which means other people's belief in them, since they are not God), and B) treatment of your political leaders.
Think about this: if we walked up to someone who was a buddhist and started uttering offensive language and ridiculing the belief he has for Buddha, do you think they would be receptive to us when we told them that our God was better because He loved them? No. We lead by example. We show them love, and when they compliment our love, we tell them WHY we love so well. You cannot teach about a God of love while practicing hatred.
The second part of this is a little harder for some of us. (I'll admit, I'm guilty).
The reason some people hate the Bible is because it standardizes behavior. It lays the law down in black and white, and when we learn the law, we become "not innocent" any more -- guilty; or, for lack of a better word, convicted. Here, it clearly states that we must not curse our rulers.
What this means to us, here in the United States, is that we are not supposed to post memes on Facebook that call Joe Biden an idiot. We are not to tell the world what we wish would happen to him. We are not to pray to God to punish him in any way.
What this does NOT mean, however, is that we cannot still ask hard questions, or that we cannot still say that we don't believe as he does and why. It doesn't mean that we cannot form alliances or vote against him. It doesn't mean we cannot disagree with him or what he is doing. It doesn't mean that we don't post the facts and educate others to the err of his ways. What it means is that we still have to treat him with love and pray that God leads him onto a righteous path, for all of our sake.
Yes, I'll admit: I, like many of you, am guilty of breaking this law. And, now, having seen the law, I am convicted and will henceforth endeavor to change my ways.
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