These days people want to be seen to be politically correct rather than morally upright. They think standing on the side of integrity will jeopardize their chances to some reward, denying them access to favour with the powers that be. So they want to play safe. A man like John would have none of that. He stood up to Herod, the fiery king who had abused his office. Taking advantage of being king, he hijacked his own brother’s wife. That was what John challenged.

It does not take brilliance to confront evil or falsehood; what is needed is valiance…Siding with truth may put you at daggers drawn with men who love lies and vanity, but it will surely make you a friend of God.

It does not take brilliance to confront evil or falsehood; what is needed is valiance. Unfortunately valiant men are in short supply. And it is not as if this is a recent development. Even Jeremiah complained of dearth of valiant men in his days. “And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:3). How we need to be reminded again that if good men and women fail to raise their voice evil will spread like wildfire.

The courage needed to do the work cannot be self-made; it will come as impartation from the Lord. Those who want to stand up to the evil that pervades the land must be able to say with Micah, “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin” (Micah 3:8). Siding with truth may put you at daggers drawn with men who love lies and vanity, but it will surely make you a friend of God.