The Snare of Politics
Recently I was asked if there was a post regarding politics and the admonishments for Christians to abstain from engaging in such activity. This note focused light (the truth) on a weak spot in my walk. I instantly knew why no such article existed on the website as my flesh, which struggles to abstain from political thought and dialog did not want to be exposed. Here is what the Lord gave me to reply.
Hi B________ and thanks for writing. This topic hit the nail on one of my weaknesses and where I still need help from the Lord. As you may know, I am an American now living in South Africa for nearly a decade. I think the Lord put me here to get away from the scene going on in the USA. I was just there visiting physical family and was horrified by the political climate and the nonstop bombardment of political ads and talk. No matter where you went, you could not get away from it.
You are correct in pointing out a most basic truth which is as Christians, Christ followers, we are not to vote in any elections. Such action is getting involved in the affairs of this world. Anyone still voting is not acting in the faith, and has forgotten the Lord is working all things, even appointing Presidents of the USA, per the council of His will. All of us first fall as we are dragged into the truth and out of this world. It is a process and getting our carnal habits and interests burned out of us takes time. Little by little, we are being transformed and leaving those worldly pursuits behind.
The standard of coming out of the world and not getting engaged in its affairs is more than just not voting. Putting on the mind of Christ has us adopting a new thought life which will stay on the things above, not on the things below. The Lord is in charge and He has already determined who is going to win all elections. As you know the Lord directs men’s steps and even gives them their every thought. If the Lord wants Trump to win it is going to happen or conversely, if He wants Harris, she will win. Almighty God is always getting what He desires and there is nothing any man can do about it.
We are to follow the Lord in all we do yet we are weak in the flesh and it is only by making mistakes, falling down, and being corrected, that we overcome our sins. We really should not care who wins the election or what insane policies and laws are being passed. The world is certainly waxing worse and worse and this craziness is to be expected as all of it is prophesied. Lord willing, with this prompting, an article/post will soon follow.
Yours in Christ, Pete
The Snare of Politics
Engagement with politics ensnares a good portion of mankind and very many professing Christians in its net. We see campaigning, fundraising, and endorsements of various candidates by all types of celebrities and even clergy from Christian churches. To the carnal Christian, this lends credence to political activity and encourages more of it rather than less of it. But it is not supposed to be this way.
The Lord was ALWAYS about His Father’s business and we are to be doing the same as Him.
Luk 2:49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
As He was sent so He sends us into the world, which is to do His business which is the Father’s business. Christ wants all of our hearts, minds, and souls. He does not want us to share it with “Caesar”, with Caesar being a type and shadow for the leaders of any nation.
Mar 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
While NOT VOTING in elections is a most basic understanding of what would Jesus do, the struggle of staying out of the world’s affairs, and specifically politics is much bigger. Anyone reading the news or watching TV cannot help but be bombarded with politics no matter where one lives. Abstaining from such activities is the best line of defense and instead, we should spend our free time focused on the things of the Lord.
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Seeking the things above will have us being dead to the things the world chases and striving to put away the uncleanness from our lives. It is more than just politics as virtually everything in the modern world [the internet, social media, TV] steers its user towards unclean, evil and covetous like lusts.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
I confess my continued weaknesses in being too much into the news and by extension engaged in too much thinking of political issues. I know the truth but have not yet gotten totally out of the snare. It really is all carnal vanity if we stop and consider our faith and the truth of the Lord working all things. King Solomon learned that all these worldly pursuits were vanity. We also learn it as we fulfill those prophecies and live those words.
Ecc 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Ecc 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Spending an ounce of energy on politics is vanity. This is absolutely true for the few in the faith grounded on the truths of God’s word. This starts with the Lord’s absolute sovereignty over the affairs of every man. Nothing happens outside the will of our Father who is working ALL THINGS for the counsel of His will.
Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Job 23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
The Lord has already determined who will win every election and He will bring it to pass just as He has already declared it.
Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
The Lord will orchestrate His will by whatever means He has determined. We know that He alone directs the steps of every man, gives them their every thought and even the very words they speak.
Jer 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Amo 4:13 For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought
Pro 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
The true Israel of God won’t be engaged in political activities such as voting or campaigning. Doing so is contrary to our faith. We are to let the world and those of the world engage in their politics as the Lord moves them to bring about His will. The harder and more subtle engagement with politics to avoid is the exposure we get from the news or engaging in conversation with others. We need to be diligent to avoid such vain conversations if at all possible.
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
It is not just for our own sake we should do this, it is for the sake of our weaker brothers and sisters who may get the wrong idea. The more mature should set an example for the immature to follow. It is not a sin per se to have opinions on political topics. Yet by openly engaging in debates and discussions, we may create a stumbling block for others who see us partaking in such discussions. This reminds us of the wider meaning of what it means to partake of the food and meat of those outside the faith.
1Co 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
1Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1Co 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
It can be difficult to find polite ways to limit, decline, or exit our participation in political conversation. Yet we should do all we can to avoid it or at least minimize it. It’s so easy to be sucked into a trap as we all have opinions but they are better kept to ourselves.
Christ is busy dividing this world and bringing every man’s hand against His neighbor. It’s a prophetic promise and we are seeing it play out in our lifetimes in the current political climate. This is particularly true in the USA but appears to be a growing global phenomenon in every country. The Lord is using politics to divide the people of the earth by creating quarrels and strife. A servant of Christ is to avoid such strife.
2Ti 2:23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
2Ti 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
Our walk and ministry are likened to many things including being priests, ambassadors, and even soldiers. As a good soldier, we cannot please our Lord if engaged in anything but the mission He gives us. Political engagement is not our mission and is a key affair of the world.
2Ti 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Walking by faith in a weak body of flesh, we are in a constant war between our flesh and the spirit. This war in heaven that is, was and will be transforming us from being carnally minded to having the spiritual mind of Christ. This battle is primarily fought inwardly and this applies to the political temptations that inevitably come before us. We are learning to take captive our carnal thoughts [fascination with politics, interest] and become obedient to the commands to be separated from the world.
2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Lord willing, I hope my failures [and yours if this applies to you] are in the rearview mirror so I/we won’t have to repeat the lessons. It takes effort and initiative to take a stand and resist the temptations when they come. A solider for Christ must engage in this fight if we hope to win it. This we are doing if we keep on enduring on the walk of faith. Our involvement and even our interest in politics and other worldly distractions will be burned up.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
It seems more so now than ever in my lifetime, temptations to engage in political discourse are pervasive. All these worldly topics of interest are carnal distractions that are likened in the Scriptures to a net [e.g. the Internet]. All men are captured by the net except for an escaped remnant the Lord chooses. It gives some real-time definition to what the Scriptures call “the net” that has captured all but a chosen few.
Mic 7:2 The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.
We need to remain vigilant to escape this trap. Through the similitudes of the prophets, this mystery and worldly snare is foretold to those with eyes to see.
Ecc 9:12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
The prophet Habakkuk [who is you and me in our time], laments about this seemingly losing battle of being captured and killed by the net.
Hab 1:15 They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
Hab 1:16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.
The carnal food in the net is plenteous and thereby men are snared and locked in place. Only by turning our eyes back to the Lord and staying focused on His words and admonishments can we be saved from this net.
Psa 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Psa 25:15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
We are passing through this world as pilgrims and sojourners but are not to be of this world. We have been separated as a peculiar people.
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
The Apostle Peter described those called out of the world as aliens and strangers in a foreign land. This separation from the world is a great gulf fixed that is the faith of Jesus Christ. This gift of faith is given to a few in every generation, yet it is a defining metric that separates us from all others. Those in the world will think it strange that we do not run after them in their dissipation. By standing for Christ, and not engaging in political activities and discourse, we seem weird to them, and we are spoken evil of.
1Pe 4:4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
The further we walk with Christ, we are losing relationships with friends and family and becoming increasingly set apart and isolated. This is to be expected, and we are learning to count it all joy when we see the Lord’s hand in our life. As Christians, our citizenship is not of this world or any country. We are first and foremost not Americans, Canadians, Nigerians, Chinese, Fins, Germans or any nationality. We belong to Jesus Christ the Lord and Saviour. He alone is to be our allegiance, demanding all of our hearts, mind and soul.
Php 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
While we sojourn, we seek a better country and a spiritual city in heaven which the Lord has promised.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
The faithful few will be falsely accused of many things, including being arrogant and thinking we are better than others. This is because we do not partake of the same interests and habits as they. Yet we do not revile back and instead rejoice as great is our reward.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Christ told us that like Him, we are a light unto the world, rather than an active part of the world. The Lord is calling light [His Christ] out of the darkness [ the world]. The Elect in every generation are likened unto ambassadors.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Ambassadors in the world do not get engaged in the affairs of the people they are sent to but rather represent the one who has sent them. We are sent by Christ to shine His light upon those He puts in our path. We cannot be a good ambassador if we become entangled in politics and forget our mission for Christ.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Putting on the new man and shedding the old man requires us to think on things above, not on the things below on this earth.
Lastly it is worth mentioning that we are to pray for all men but not for the reasons the Babylonian orthodox churches of men teach. We are to pray for all men that they allow us to live a quiet and peaceable life in Christ.
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
We are not to pray for the world [Joh 17:9, Jer 17:16] which means we do not pray that one leader versus another leader wins an election. Such activity is pure vanity! We shall be praying for His will to be done as it will be.
We should more urgently pray for one another, our precious brothers and sisters in the faith. May the Lord keep us from becoming entangled in the affairs of the world and the elevated political climate we find ourselves abiding.
May the Lord bless those in the faith and give them strength.
Pete