When Christian Politicians Tell Lies

In spite of their widespread representation, the late Bishop Justice Kojo Bentil, who established the Kingdom Power Chapel International, a thriving Charismatic church in Ghana, wanted to see more Christians go into politics to better manage the national economy for rapid socio-economic development. Perhaps he doubted the genuineness of those who were already in politics. Only God knows.

Human beings throughout the world like to tell lies in families, politics, government, commerce, judiciary, science, security service, industry and even religion. Former President John Dramani Mahama, Vice-President Mahamadu Bawumia, Sammy Gyamfi, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ofosu Kwakye are purported to be the biggest liars in Ghana. And they are politicians who are mostly Christians.

It is clear that politicians in both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) tell lies. The late President Jerry John Rawlings lamented that Ghana’s politicians had “mastered the act of deception through lies in order to perpetuate their stay in power.” The former military leader spoke against lies and falsehood in the country’s body politic, emphasising that “truth and justice must be brought home.”

Should Christians lie their way into political power and perpetuate their wayin it? They will answer this question in the negative yet they live, operate and go about their duties everyday telling lies. Politicians appeal to their constituents to vote massively for them to win power so that they will be in the better position to help address their plight through diligent patriotic service.

However, they eventually amass wealth for themselves and their families. They told lies to the voters. Concerned citizens must rise up and follow the footsteps of Assata Shakur, who said, “I have declared war on the rich who prosper on our poverty, the politicians who lie to us with smiling faces and all the mindless, heartless, robots who protect them and their property.”

God hates lies. Thus, the Bible says, “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, A LYING TONGUE…” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Christian politicians know that God hates lies yet most of them have morphed into chronic liars who tell lies effortlessly and craftily. There must be REASONS they tell lies, but these reasons do make them appear smart and intelligent as they may think. Rather, they are exposed as dishonest and weak people. Yes, lying is not a strength for anyone to be proud of but a weakness to be despised.

Generally, people may tell lies for four specific reasons: firstly, people lie to seek attention because they lack self-confidence. Secondly, they lie to get benefit, favour or incentive, for example, when being interviewed for job placement or when processing documents. Thirdly, they lie to cover their mistakes and fourthly, they lie to prevent friendship or relationship from being broken. Superficially, these reasons may look justifiable.

However, all of them show that people lie for one key reason. They lie because of their inability to bear the consequences of telling the truth. In other words, people tell lies mainly because of fear. This indicates that liars are cowards and fearful people who do not value honesty and integrity. But truthful people who are righteous are as bold as lion.

You can see that there are genuine reasons God hates a lying tongue, lies or liars. Liars are dishonest people. They are deceptive and destructive. They are cowards. They are fearful. For example, Abraham lied about his wife because he was coward and fearful (Genesis 12:11-13). His wife, Sarah, also lied out of fear (Genesis 18:15). Liars are fools because they forget that their own lies will one day lie to them.

Moreover, liars are divisive people who through deceitful words often create enmity between parents and their children and spouses. In fact, liars are troublemakers and rebellious people who through their words have plunged nations into conflicts and wars leading to massive destruction of lives and properties. Again, all liars are ungodly. People who tell lies are friends and children of the devil, the father of all liars (John 8:44).

This implies that when Christian politicians tell lies they expose themselves as enemies of Christ but children of the devil, which makes them a bane to the nation and its the development. Could this be one of the key reasons Ghana is struggling to develop in spite of its numerous natural resource?

The end of lairs is exposure, defeat and disgrace. Liars never escape punishment. “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish” (Proverbs 19:9.  Jeremiah 6:13-15). Liars suffer at the hands of fellow men and God. Liars always suffer shame and disgrace, distrust and rejection, curse and eventually eternal damnation in hell fire (Revelation (21:8).

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James Quansah is the Executive Director of Christ-Conscious Leadership Centre (CLC) and lead Pastor of End-Time Christ’s Commissioners (ECC), Kumasi, Ghana. James is also a journalist by profession. He is married with four children.