Why write about the necessity of honesty in government? As a teenager prior to college, had someone asked, I would have immediately responded that, “Of course, you can trust government.” Growing up in a pastor’s home, I grew up around honest people, primarily associated with my local church, and not too involved in politics. We did not have a category of discussion about trusting or not trusting government – although Watergate did get discussed some. In my mind, generally, most people were honest – or at least they seemed that way in my neck of Kentucky woods. As an adult, I know now that all people were not as honest as I imagined them to be.

Over the past few days, the American people have been saddened by the news of former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis. With that news also came the accusation that during his administration, the White House concealed former President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis. Former President Biden’s office announced May 18th that he was diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 prostate cancer that had spread to his bones, following a routine physical exam where a nodule was detected just five days earlier. This same week, similarly, a book titled Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, has further fueled discussions. Jake Tapper claims that the White House lied not only to the public and press but also to members of their own Cabinet, staffers, and Democrats in Congress about Biden’s health decline. The former President’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, had previously given him a clean bill of health; yet, now it is apparent that all was not as it appeared. Even further advancing this discussion, the leaked audio interview between the special prosecutor of former President Biden, Robert K Hur, with the then President, which clearly demonstrate an incompetent president as far back as 2023.

To add to those current events, a Rasmussen Reports survey from July 2024 found that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters believe government officials are lying most or all of the time. Conversely, only 7% believe government officials rarely or never lie (6% rarely, 1% never), with 40% thinking officials lie some of the time. This indicates a significant lack of trust, with less than half of voters expressing confidence in the honesty of government officials.

In this world where deception, half-truths, and manipulation often dominate public discourse, the call for honesty in government may appear simplistic or idealistic. Yet, as Christians and as citizens, we must recognize the critical importance of truthfulness in those who govern. Honesty in government is not merely desirable; it is essential for a flourishing society and a faithful witness to the God of truth. In this post, let us consider together why this matters for all people and why it holds profound significance for those who follow Christ – especially those in government who are followers of Jesus Christ.

Why Honesty in Government Matters for All People

Government exists as a steward of public trust. Whether managing resources, enacting laws, or protecting citizens, those in authority wield power that shapes countless lives. What government does impacts our children and grandchildren, our parents and grandparents, our nephews and nieces, our uncles and aunts, and everyone in our communities. When leaders deceive – through deliberate falsehoods or calculated omissions – they undermine the foundation of that trust. I have heard now over the decades people pass it off as, “It’s just politics, Kevin.” However, a society built on lies is like a house built on sand; it may endure temporarily, but it will collapse under the weight of division, skepticism, and disorder.

Honesty in government promotes accountability. When leaders speak truthfully, we citizens can make informed decisions, hold officials to their commitments, and participate in meaningful dialogue about our communities’ future. Without honesty, manipulation prevails, and power becomes a tool for personal gain rather than public good. History bears witness to nations that faltered when their leaders’ deceit eroded their legitimacy; arguably, we have seen the same over the past several decades here in America.

Practically, an honest government fosters stability and justice. Transparent policies enable businesses to plan, families to thrive, and individuals to pursue their God-given potential without fear of hidden agendas or arbitrary decisions. When leaders model truthfulness, they cultivate a culture where integrity becomes the standard. On the other hand, a government that normalizes deception breeds cynicism, where people assume self-interest governs all – a path to even greater societal decay. In fact, the more we believe all politicians and the government (deep state or whomever) are corrupt, the more self-justification the citizenry has that it is equally OKAY to be dishonest to government and each other.

This path becomes a death cycle to a society in general, as well as each of us individually.

Why Honesty in Government Matters for Christians

For Christians, the call for honesty in government carries eternal weight. Our faith is anchored in a God who is truth and a Word that is truth (John 14:6; 17:17). Scripture declares that God “desires truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:6) and warns that “lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight” (Prov 12:22). As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His character in every sphere, including our expectations of those who govern.

In addition, an honest government aligns with God’s design for authority. The Apostle Paul instructs us: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God” (Rom 13:1-2). Leaders who deceive pervert this divine mandate, acting as unfaithful stewards of the authority God has entrusted to them. Christians, therefore, must pray for, advocate for, and, where possible, support leaders who uphold truth, not out of naivety, but because truth honors God.

Furthermore as a specific benefit to all Christians, an honest government enables Christians to live out their faith with integrity. The Apostle Paul urges us to pray “for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Tim 2:1-2). When laws are clear and leaders are trustworthy, believers can focus on loving God and serving others. A government marked by deceit, however, often pressures Christians to compromise, whether by navigating corrupt systems or confronting unjust policies. Honesty in leadership frees us to pursue our calling faithfully.

Finally, Jesus calls us who follow Him to be salt and light (Matt 5:13-16, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world”). When we demand honesty from our leaders, we bear witness to a world desperate for truth. Our commitment to integrity is not solely about better governance; it is about pointing others to the God whose Word never fails. In a culture steeped in relativism, our stand for truth in the public square testifies to the very integrity of the gospel.

What Can We Do? A Call to Action

How shall we respond?

First, pray. Pray for leaders to walk in truth and for God to raise up men and women of integrity. Bring your concerns and petitions before God Who is in control and works providentially around us.

Second, engage. Use your voice – through voting, conversations, or advocacy – to champion honesty. Encourage those who do tell the truth. Reach out to your represented officials to encourage where possible, respectfully correct if necessary, and always befriend where you can.

Third, model truth in your own life. As followers of Jesus Christ, our personal integrity can inspire others and demonstrate that truth is a way of life, not merely an ideal. When we do what is right, always insisting personally to take the next right step in our own personal lives, we profoundly demonstrate by our actions the necessity and blessings of when people live by truth with integrity (for a different post, but also by love, mercy, and compassion, as these are not separate from a life of integrity).

For the sake of our society and our witness, let us commit to upholding honesty in government. We must begin with a personal call to individual responsibility, what Jesus refers to as taking the log out of our own eye (Matt 7:3-5). This is not about politics alone; it is about honoring the God Who calls us to walk in His truth. What steps will you take today to promote truth in your community?

As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, on the contact me link, or on social media – I would value hearing how you are navigating this in your life.