The Need for Discernment in Political Engagement
Several months ago, I made a short Facebook post that seemed to resonate with quite a few people. Looking back, I think that’s because many Christians have experienced the same struggle I did, even if they haven’t recognized it for what it is.
This was the post:
“I’m not advocating being uninformed. I’m not advocating being uninvolved. I’m not advocating being apathetic. But there was a time when I was obsessed with politics. I believed that if we could just get the right person elected, everything would be fine. I’ve experienced far more peace and joy since I stopped placing my hope in a person or a party and started placing it in the One who works all things together for good for those who love Him. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do our part. We can and should help make our country look more like something that honors God. But when politics becomes an idol, it robs us of peace. Stay engaged, but don’t worship it. You’ll be happier for it.”
When I wrote those words, I knew they were true, but there was much more behind them than I could fit into a single social media post.
When Politics Became An Idol
There was a period in my life when politics slowly became an idol without me even realizing it. It certainly wasn’t because politics itself is evil, Civil government is God’s idea after all. Scripture teaches that governing authorities are established by Him (Rom. 13:1-7), and throughout history He has raised up kings and removed kings according to His own purposes (Dan. 2:21; 4:17). Human government has an important role in God’s providential ordering of the world.
The problem wasn’t politics, but the way I had begun to relate to them. I had become the problem. I found myself spending more time chasing news stories than reading my Bible, or that I knew more about candidates this election cycle than I did the characters in Scripture I had been studying. I spent more time thinking about what the “other side” was doing than I did praying, reflecting, and meditating on the things of God. My conversations revolved around elections, policies and scandals instead of Christ. My emotions were a roller coaster of ups and downs instead of a calm resting on the promises of God.
Without realizing it, I was being led more by the spin cycle than by the Spirit. I had begun placing my confidence in men and women whom I believed could “right the ship.” I would never have admitted it out loud, but my heart was quietly saying, as I said in the original post, “If we can just get the right people into office, everything will be okay.” That’s misplaced trust, not faith in The Almighty. The Psalmist warned us long ago, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation” (Ps. 146:3). Jeremiah likewise declared, “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength” (Jer. 17:5).
Politics had become something I looked to for hope, security, and peace, and those are things that belong to God alone. That is what subtle idolatry does though. It takes something that may be good in its proper place and quietly elevates it until it occupies the throne of our hearts.
God Has Never Lost Control
One day however, while reading my Bible, everything seemed to come back into focus. I remembered that God has never once surrendered His throne. He raised up Pharaoh for His own purposes (Ex. 9:16; Rom. 9:17). He used Assyria as the rod of His anger. He used Babylon to discipline His own people. Even the mightiest emperor, Caesar, ruled only because authority had been given to him from above (John 19:11). Daniel repeatedly reminds us that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will” (Dan. 4:17).
If God could accomplish His purposes through Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Augustus, and every other Caesar who would follow, who was I to assume He could not work through whichever leader happened to occupy the White House?
Yes, a ruler may make life more difficult. Yes, bad policies may have painful consequences. Yes, governments sometimes do great harm. But none of those things remove God from His throne. The One who works all things together for good for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28) has not suddenly become powerless because of an election result. Remembering that changed everything for me.
Remember Which Kingdom Lasts
As these truths settled into my heart, I was reminded that while I am an American by birth, in Christ I have become a citizen of a far greater Kingdom. Paul reminds us, “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20). The writer of Hebrews tells us that we have received “a kingdom which cannot be shaken” (Heb. 12:28).
For now, I live as something of a dual citizen. I belong to an earthly nation while also belonging to Christ’s everlasting Kingdom. But I know where my lasting citizenship lies. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall, and nations come and go throughout history. His Kingdom cannot be shaken.
That perspective gave me tremendous peace, and it also made me think about the Christians of the first century. They had no vote. No representation. No voice in choosing their rulers. Yet the apostles instructed them to honor the emperor (1 Pet. 2:17), submit to governing authorities (Rom. 13:1-7), pray for kings and all who are in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2), and obey civil government unless commanded to disobey God (Acts 5:29). Some of those very rulers would imprison and execute Christians and yet in the fiery trials that would come (1 Pet. 4:12) they trusted God anyway. Why? Because their hope was never in Caesar, their hope was firmly in Christ.
I realized I had become something like Sarah in Genesis 16. God had made a promise, but instead of patiently trusting His faithfulness, Sarah tried to help the Lord accomplish His purposes through human effort. Looking back, I could see the same tendency in myself. I had become so convinced that the “right” people had to be elected that I had forgotten the Lord never needs my anxiety or help in order to govern the world.
When I finally let go of that desire for control, I found myself experiencing once again that peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7).
Stay Engaged
None of this means Christians should withdraw from society or ignore politics altogether. In fact, I believe the opposite. The Christians of the early centuries had virtually no influence over who governed them. We do. We have opportunities they never had. We can vote. We can participate in civic life. We can speak for righteousness. We can defend the innocent. We can encourage good government and oppose evil where we are able.
I am reminded of the words of the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah. When Judah was carried away into Babylon, God did not tell His people to isolate themselves from the city. Instead, He told them to build houses, plant gardens, raise families, and “seek the peace of the city” where He had carried them into captivity, praying for it because its peace would become their peace (Jer. 29:5-7). Their stay in Babylon was temporary, but while they were there they were to seek the good of the place where God had placed them.
It is much the same with us. As Christians today, we recognize that we are pilgrims and sojourners in this present age. We know this world in its present form is passing away (1 Cor. 7:31). We are waiting for the return of our Lord, the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21), and the glory that is yet to be revealed (Rom. 8:18-25).
Until that day comes, we should seek the good of the communities and nations where God has placed us. We should engage with the civil governments of this world and influence them, as we are able, through lives that reflect Christ and by proclaiming His gospel. But we must never confuse improving this present world with consummating the Kingdom of God. Only Christ will accomplish that.
Keeping Politics In Its Proper Place
Looking back, I realize my problem was never political involvement. It was my unhealthy involvement with it. Politics became entertainment. Election season became sports. I had become a fan cheering for my team while tying far too much of my emotional energy to things completely outside my control. Politics itself, not just any individual politician, had become an idol. It clearly wasn’t that I stopped believing in God. It was that politics had quietly replaced Him as the thing occupying the greatest share of my attention, affection, and hope.
Thankfully, the Lord brought me back. He reminded me that no election can give me what I already possess in Christ. Through Him I have been adopted into God’s family (Rom. 8:15-17). I have received an eternal inheritance (Eph. 1:11-14). I belong to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb. 12:28). I enjoy fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (1 John 1:3; 2 Cor. 13:14). No election result can take those blessings away from the faithful child of God.
Some Final Encouragement
So what do we do? Number one, we Pray. Pray for those who are in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2), pray for wisdom (James 1:5). pray for our nation. Pray far, far, far more than you argue.
Number two, exercise restraint. Stay informed. Learn the issues. Understand the candidates and their policies (Prov. 18:15). But don’t consume political news until it consumes you. Even good things become unhealthy when we indulge them without moderation (1 Cor. 6:12).
Number three, keep first things first. Ask yourself honestly, “Do I spend more time listening to political commentators than listening to God through His Word? Am I thinking more about elections than eternity? Have I allowed the latest headlines to shape my heart more than the gospel?” (Col. 3:16, 1 Cor. 3:1-2, Matt. 6:33)
Finally, remember who reigns. Christ is still King. His Kingdom cannot be shaken. His purposes cannot fail. His promises cannot be broken. No matter who occupies the highest office in the land, Jesus still sits upon the highest throne in the universe.
Stay informed. Stay engaged. Do your part. But don’t worship politics. Your King is already reigning.
