Two policemen and an army general filed into our living room after hailing us from the gate, and two fully armed guards remained at attention in the courtyard outside. One policeman asked to see our passports and visas, as well as work permits. Although we needed to renew a visa each year, we had never been asked to procure a work permit. This was a new requirement from recent legislation, and so we expected local officials to inform us and explain the process.

Instead, what followed were several hours of intimidation and extortion as the general made it clear that he wasn’t leaving our home until he was given every penny of the exorbitant amount that he had asked for. Jennifer and the kids stayed upstairs, praying and keeping our team updated, while I prayed and worked to respond to the harassment with godly humility while asking for just treatment. Longevity on the field and speaking the language, which often helped in such situations, had no value this time. Even after all I could do, we still had to pay a large sum in fines.

This example illustrates the reality that cross-cultural missionaries have the double responsibility of living under two governments. Submitting to one government is difficult enough, for the Gentiles typically lord over their subjects for personal gain (Matthew 20:25). Honoring corrupt authorities in a culture not our own is harder still.

When we are pleased with the government, or when its inconsistencies, failures, and corruption don’t affect us personally, it is easier to submit. Submission, however, isn’t needed unless there are reasons why we wouldn’t want to do so. It is like Christian unity—we express unity when we differ from others, not when everyone agrees (see Romans 13–14).

Notice how none of the passages of Scripture that exhort believers to submit to and honor their government has a caveat. There are no exception clauses to these commands, just as there are none for children obeying and honoring their parents.

It is hard to submit to government regulations when they seem to be foolish and arbitrary. Honoring authorities with our attitudes and words when officials are clearly incompetent, lazy, arrogant, and/or consumed with power and greed is a serious challenge to our pride. Paul tells us, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:17–18¹). “All” includes those we consider backward, disorganized, selfish, hyper-controlling, and twisted by evil ideologies.

Examples of times when cross-cultural missionaries might be tempted to disrespect or disobey government authorities include:

• Low-level officials who want to show how powerful they are by making us wait incredibly long periods of time to complete a simple task.
• Officials keep rejecting our paperwork, citing very minor errors or making them up, to ensure that we must come back or pay them more money.
• Officials in various branches of government have different understandings of laws and regulations since they don’t communicate well between themselves or because of infighting. As we seek to get paperwork done according to the law, we find that knowing the actual law is almost impossible, causing us to be subject to the whims of whomever is dealing with us.
• The government sides with locals in legal matters regardless of who is right, sometimes costing us financially. Examples include traffic accidents and property disputes.
• We see how local government, particularly the lawyers and judicial system, function to protect the rich and make money, with no attempt to protect the poor and weak from injustice.
• Whether asked for directly or indirectly, extra “fees” or bribes are the norm for getting around justice, or even just getting things done.

When bad experiences happen repeatedly, missionaries can become jaded, worn down by disappointment, and cynical. Disillusioned missionaries may become disrespectful, resentful, and even negligent of the law. They lose their love, joy, and contentment in ministry, killing their gospel influence.

Here are five practical safeguards to keep us from becoming jaded: 1) pray for godly responses in our own hearts in every situation; 2) pray for the corrupt authorities in every situation; 3) refuse to complain and speak about officials dishonorably; 4) accept submission as worship and the motivation for “the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13–17); and 5) remember that the sins being committed against us vividly illustrate their need for the message of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ that you came to bring.

As my meeting with the soldiers and police officials ended, I was able to chat with one of the men in a friendly way. We’ve known him since he was a teen when we lived in his village. He felt bad for us but wasn’t going to show his disapproval to the general. The men also asked to take a photo with our family, so we all lined up in the courtyard and smiled while one guard, machine gun laid aside, took a picture of us honoring the government by submitting to these officials’ demands. We hoped the picture didn’t end up on Facebook or the local news!