During election season, nobody wants to be fooled. But don’t let yourself be fooled spiritually. Watch out for these four pitfalls of sin on Election Day.
1. Apathy
Don’t dismiss politics with the rationale that because Christ is King, earthly kings don’t matter. Earthly rulers matter greatly to God. In fact, they steward Christ’s authority on His behalf (Rom. 13:3-4). This means that who stewards this authority and how they do so is of grave seriousness–especially for believers (Jas. 3:1).
“How can an American Christian submit to its governing authorities? Answer: by taking part in the processes necessary for that government to have authority.”
The Bible has a long tradition of calling God’s people to engage in politics. Men like Joseph and Daniel served mightily in the political realms of pagan empires (Gen. 41:37-57; Dan. 2:46-49). Others like Boaz were “men of the gate” who conducted legal affairs for the people (Ruth 4:1). In Jeremiah, God urged His exiled people in Babylon to “…seek the welfare of the city…” and to “…pray to the Lord on its behalf…” (Jer. 29:7). In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul called Christians to, “…be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom. 13:1).
How can an American Christian submit to its governing authorities? Answer: by taking part in the processes necessary for that government to have authority. Because American Christians live in a constitutional republic that elects its leaders, Christians submit to their government by participating in that election process. Not engaging in the choosing of leaders and legislation is not only irresponsible but disobedient to God’s call for Christians to honor their governments.
While the Bible may allow for matters of conscience to, at times, prevent a believer from voting, the opportunity to choose one’s leaders is a rare and powerful gift that God has given to the American church to steward (Rom. 14). The Church must not bury that talent. It must invest it for God’s glory (Matt. 25:14-30).
2. Despair
“If Hell can’t stop Christ, neither can an election.”
Despair is the absence of hope. It becomes convinced that not only is there not anything good now, but that there will never be anything good again. It’s a consuming feeling that literally takes over the entire body, so much so that it can prevent sleep and eating and produce physical pain.
Many Christians struggle with this sense of despair. They have become consumed with negativity and forget that there have always been wars and rumors of wars and that nations always rise and fall (Matt. 24:6-13). Yet, no matter what has occurred in human history, God in all those times still allowed the sun to rise. He still allowed babies to be born, for laughter to break, for good food to be enjoyed, and for the Gospel to advance. Remember God’s promise to Noah: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Gen. 8:22). No matter how wicked the world becomes, God will continue to graciously hold it together until He returns.
Most of all, remember the words of Jesus. When He spoke of building His Church, He said that “…the gates of Hell will not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18b). Think about what a gate does. It’s not offensive. It’s defensive. It keeps things out. The point Jesus was making was remarkable. He claimed that by His power, He would be so effective in advancing the Gospel throughout the world that if Christ wanted to plant a church in Hell, He could do so, and no one would be able to stop Him. How’s that for a campaign slogan?
If Hell can’t stop Christ, neither can an election. Do not despair. There is hope in Christ.
3. Anger
“If God, who alone has every right to be angry, can withhold His anger from us, we also ought to withhold our anger from others, especially in matters of politics.”
Political media makes millions by making people angry. Campaign ads attempt to rouse heated emotions to win votes. This constant barrage of hyperbole and sensationalism is hard to escape and even harder not to imitate.
The alternative to political apathy is not political anger. As the Bible makes clear, the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (Jas. 1:20). It is tempting to think that all anger is justified if it’s in response to sin. But recall the parable Jesus gave of the unforgiving servant (Matt. 18:21-35). The servant’s anger against an unpaid debt may have seemed understandable from a worldly perspective. After all, he had not been paid what he was due. But the larger context reveals the sickness of the situation. The unforgiving servant had himself owed an even more outstanding debt, one which his master graciously forgave by withholding his anger. If God, who alone has every right to be angry, can withhold His anger from us, we also ought to withhold our anger from others, especially in matters of politics.
As James Madison said, “…what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?” Politicians lie–so do voters. Parties manipulate–so do people. Politics puts the deceits of the heart on full display. Instead of reacting to the evil of the world with sinful anger that produces pride and hate, remember that you, too, are evil and unjust in the holy sight of God, and respond to the lies of the world with truth spoken in love (Eph. 4:15). Then, take action by voting for and supporting God-honoring truths in a humble and self-controlled way (Gal. 5:22-23).
4. Hate
Hate is a self-consuming fire. It produces nothing and destroys everything. Because of this, hate should never be confused with action. Taking part in the political process means more than memes and social media quips. Personally attacking others is never an effective tool of change.
“Instead of Christians imitating the characteristics of their preferred candidate, Christians should imitate the characteristics of their risen Savior.”
This is not to say that Christians should embrace a false pretense of niceness where labels like “love” and “peace” are used as masks for immorality. It is also not to say that a politician is disqualified from office simply on the accusations of hate.
What it does mean is that even if a politician who supports biblical truth is perceived as hateful, that should not be a license for his followers to be hateful. Instead of Christians imitating the characteristics of their preferred candidate, Christians should imitate the characteristics of their risen Savior.
When the stakes are high, it’s easy for emotions to be high as well. But Christian, remember why you hold the political convictions you do—not so that you can be honored, but so that God can be honored. If your goal is God’s glory, then make your behavior as biblical as your positions.
“If your goal is God’s glory, then make your behavior as biblical as your positions.”
Conclusion:
In the closing days of the Civil War, Lincoln spoke to a divided nation in his second inaugural address by turning to Scripture. “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” Because God’s Word is perfect and true, Christians can act upon it boldly. They can hope in it and not despair. They can rest in it and not be angry. They can trust in it and not hate.
Today, turn to Christ in His Word, call out to Him in prayer, and honor Him with obedience.
