Have you been treated unfairly at work or online for having a conservative viewpoint? Have you been labeled "hateful" because of your beliefs? In response, do you struggle with feelings of anger? Or maybe you're more on the sidelines, feeling uneasy about provocative tactics used by politicians and political activists on both sides of the issues. Do you want to share the love of Jesus Christ while constructively standing for the truth in our heightened state of national turmoil?
As a college student in the early ‘90s who had a fearless conservative voice on a largely liberal campus, while several friendships grew out of respectful debates, a few times I found myself at the receiving end of what felt and sounded like hateful responses. (I’ll share two stories at the end: one in which I did not see an unbeliever receive Christ and one in which I did.)
In this article, we will look at seven biblical precepts that can guide us in responding to people who are promoting policies and viewpoints that brazenly disobey God’s Word. While it is tempting to poke and jab back, the only satisfying path is to stay in step with the Lord. The best way to do this is to learn from the life stories of the persecuted Jews and Christians in biblical times, follow Scripture’s wisdom, and pray.
These seven scriptural principles can help align our attitudes and incline our hearts to the Lord, paving the way for righteous living and effective witnessing to unbelievers with gentleness, truth, and love in an atmosphere of hot political conflict.
The Bible is full of laments, expressions of mourning and suffering because of civic moral decline. Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel tried leading people to turn away from sin and back to God. Anyone who watches the news can see evidence of sin and evil in the world. To make matters worse, our government has enacted or sought to enact policies legalizing abominable acts like abortion and assisted suicide.
While outrage is a natural response to such evils, it is important to recognize feelings beneath the anger. By meditating on and praying through the laments of prophets like Jeremiah, David, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea, you can peel away the surface layers and connect with the underlying feelings of sadness, disappointment, fear, pain, uncertainty, and powerlessness. God gave us the full spectrum of emotions, and it is His intention that we express them.
Lamenting is a healing way to process our feelings. This is not a term in our everyday vocabulary; and to our demise it is all too often absent from practice. You may be asking what it means to lament. Jeremiah 8 demonstrates some aspects, including grief, crying, mourning, woundedness of heart, sickness of heart, dismay, and loss of joy. A good starting point for recognizing and dealing with our deepest inner disturbances is to use Jeremiah’s model below to pray specifically about alarming national issues:
My joy is gone; grief is upon me;
my heart is sick within me.
Behold, the cry of the daughter of my people
from the length and breadth of the land:
“Is the Lord not in Zion?
Is her King not in her?”
“Why have they provoked me to anger with their carved images
and with their foreign idols?”
“The harvest is past, the summer is ended,
and we are not saved.”
For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded;
I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. – Jeremiah 8:18-21, ESV
If you’ve been subjected to religious discrimination, it is essential that you forgive those who persecute you. Unforgiveness destroys inner peace and impacts every relationship. Satan is prowling around looking to destroy us (1 Pt. 5:8) and tempting people to hold grudges is one of his strategies.
To complicate matters, Christians sometimes condemn those who commit certain sins like abortion and homosexuality or are activists in legalizing such practices that disobey God. It is important to express grace and compassion toward people that are being deceived and promoting perversions of God's perfect design for humanity.
Developing a forgiving spirit begins by remembering how much we have been forgiven. At one time, we each were blind to the truth. We can take the next step by remembering Jesus’ prayer on the cross. Becoming more like Jesus means following His example.
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” - Luke 23:34-37, ESV
As Christians, it can be easy to become self-righteous. We know we are forgiven and that we have found the One True God. After receiving Christ, believers begin a journey of becoming more like Jesus. Subsequently, recognizing sin becomes more straightforward and in the process of judging sin, it can be easy to think unlovingly toward sinners.
Though we are forgiven and salvation is sure, for as long as we live in this fallen world, we will deal with our own imperfections of thought and behavior. Rather than trying to explain away sinful attitudes and actions toward those with ungodly political goals, letting God reveal sin in our minds and hearts sets us free from its destructive power.
Daily confession helps us avoid self-righteousness and hardening of heart toward unbelievers. Even when pagans justify their sin, it is not justified for Christians to react sinfully. We each need to ask God to search us and cleanse us from ungodly attitudes. We can start by praying David’s words in Psalm 139, going before the Lord with open ears so He can purify our hearts (Ps. 51).
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! - Psalm 139:23-24, ESV
Jesus told us that we would experience rejection and persecution when we follow Him (Jn. 15:18). When this happens, we must remember to cast our anxieties onto the Lord and rely on Him to sustain us amid suffering (1 Pt. 5). Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow Him (Mt. 16:24). It is a picture of laying our lives down in love for lost sinners so they can know the truth and be set free, receiving forgiveness through Christ.
Allowing God to use us as His instrument of grace enables us to fulfill His calling of being messengers of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19). On the flip side, when we focus on the law, we become messengers of punishment and retaliation.
Rather than thinking we can make society do what honors God, we are to expect mistreatment when we stand for truth. We cannot control the world around us. Despite our efforts to align societal laws with God’s laws, we are not in charge of the outcomes. But with the Holy Spirit's power, we can take charge of our responses.
Regardless of what ungodly leaders and activists do (even when they justify it), we are to respond with self-control (Gal. 5).
We can do this by...
Peter's encouragement to suffering Christians can help us be strengthened by God to love the politicians and activists persecuting us for our faith in Jesus:
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. - 1 Peter 4:14-19, ESV
Rather than letting God be their only King, ancient Jews asked the Lord for a king so they could be like the surrounding nations (1 Sam. 8). They thought having a human king would give them power to defend themselves from attacks. Lo and behold, it didn't work...partly because many of the kings chose “prophets” that would tell them what they wanted to hear so they could do what they wanted to do. Prophets who faithfully pointed to the truth were ignored and persecuted.
We see Christians continuing this pattern today of following leaders who promote some Scriptural messages that suit their purposes of achieving what they want while ignoring other biblical commands, like those in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount to be merciful, peacemaking, doers of good, loving to everyone, meek, nonretaliatory, nonjudgmental, and gracious. While it is common to think that the end (godly political policies) justifies the means (force, ridicule, and angry outbursts), when listening to Jesus' instructions while living under Roman oppression, it is quickly revealed that this perspective is false.
Just like the ancient Jewish kings, today's political leaders are sinners (we all sin) and have all sorts of motivations and weaknesses that guide what they say and do. Even if there are leaders with which we agree on national policies, we need to beware of following them rather than Jesus. To gauge if you have gotten off course, consider how much you listen to the human leaders and how much you read the Bible. Another way to assess devotion is looking at how you pray. Do you pray that God will change our nation or that God will change hearts through His love? Do you pray with compassion for those who are caught up in evil pursuits, realizing they are being deceived by Satan? Do you confess your unrighteous thoughts and choices or justify them, telling yourself that you are standing on the side of truth politically?
Paul's letter to the Ephesians helps us remember and refocus on how Jesus led people from sin to righteousness. While God's standard is perfection and He will judge everyone, notice how many times this passage mentions the heart of God through words like mercy, love, grace, kindness, and good works:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:1-10, ESV
While it's obvious to have love on the list, it is unmistakably difficult to carry out. We've all heard Jesus' words many times telling us, among other things, to love and pray for our enemies (Mt. 5:44) and to go the extra mile when we're being treated unfairly (Mt.5:41). Jesus taught that good works like these will lead unbelievers to give glory to God (Mt 5:16).
We can only do this with God’s power, and it begins with knowing we are loved by Him (1 Jn. 4:19). To love like this requires that we trust God, so we are not operating in the world’s ways but according to God’s ways which go against the human mind and flesh.
God’s true disciples are those who seek to obey Him. If you call yourself a Christian and are knowingly disobeying the commands about how to treat others (see the Sermon on the Mount) and justifying it, I caution you to consider whether you are one who says, "Lord, Lord", but will not enter heaven (Mt. 7:21-23). It's serious business; it's not too late to ask the Lord if you are right with Him. Don't be deceived. Justifying disobedience to God's commands by self-righteously pointing to all the good policies you stand for is a tell-tale sign that you may still be living in spiritual darkness. Ask God to search your heart and show you if you have truly received salvation through Him.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:43-48, ESV
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ - Matthew 7:21-23, ESV
The Israelites were chosen to be an example to the world because, out of love for all people, God wants everyone to see His true character, be saved from sin and destruction, and follow Him (2 Pt. 3:9). Today, we can point unbelievers to the Lord through our example of love and truth.
To understand that God’s ways are good, unbelievers need to recognize how His laws make a positive difference for all of humanity. We can help reveal the truth through conversation. We need to listen – truly listening without preconceived ideas of what is going to be said. We need to ask questions of clarification to ensure understanding of what was said. Questions play a key role in coming to a place of understanding and in building relationships. Jesus did this, asking over 100 questions. (One of my favorites is, "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?" - Mt. 5:47.) He gently asked people the what and why of their beliefs and helped them think through the logical outcome of their beliefs.
Only changed hearts develop sustainable changed thought and behavior (and subsequently, policies), and this kind of transformation comes through the Holy Spirit. Trying to require obedience is not the same as making disciples and it is no different than how Muslims who adhere to Sharia law try to convert people.
Rather than flinging around a bunch of cherry-picked Bible verses that communicate God's judgment while leaving out the heart behind His laws, understand the concept behind Jesus' metaphor of reaping a harvest. It is more fruitful to first prepare the soil than to toss a bunch of seed on unfertile ground. Take the time to prepare unbelievers' hearts by being kind and loving. And rather than expecting an immediate harvest, patiently water the seeds through relationship building and constructive conversation over time.
It’s not our job to turn the USA into a "Christian nation" (Gal. 3:28). We’re instructed to go make disciples to all the ends of the earth and leave the rest to God. God's ways go against worldly understanding; and a change in worldview is often a process that takes time. Be patient and don't be discouraged by strong oppositional responses. Hang in there, keep loving like Jesus, pray for changed hearts, and wait for the Lord to bring about the harvest.
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” - Matthew 9:35-38, ESV
This brings me to my experiences as a Christian on a liberal university in what is almost the most unchurched state in America. Being that I was formerly an atheist who took great pleasure in poking at Christians, it was natural for me to develop relationships with others who opposed religious worldviews. If I wasn't in class, you could almost always find me in the student lounge studying and hanging out. In the process, since the university experience stimulates philosophical thought about life and meaning, I was often engaged in respectful debates about existence, reason, and morality. To the dismay of some of my Christian peers, several friendships developed between myself and vocal advocates of ungodly standards.
While I had many encounters, here I will share just two stories: one where I did not witness a decision for Christ and one where I did.
Because I was interviewed for the school paper, debated on the school radio station, was a member of student leader groups organized by university administrators, and was a student advisor for incoming freshmen, many people knew my face....and some of them knew my viewpoints. After my words were printed or aired, it was not uncommon for students to confront me face-to-face.
One woman made her feelings of disgust toward me quite obvious whenever we saw each other. On a rainy day, after several tense interactions, while driving to get my passport picture taken, I saw her broken down on the side of the road. I stopped to help. With almost no words expressed (but with plenty of palpable feelings of awkwardness), together we got the car up and running. By the end, both of us being fully drenched, she looked at me curiously and said, "thank you"...and I hurried off to my appointment. That memory is captured to this day in my passport picture in which I look like I swam instead of driving there. I don't know whatever happened with her as we never talked after that, but I did notice softer facial expressions whenever we crossed paths on campus.
The other story, you will soon see why, is one of my favorites. There were two male students living in my building who, with a giddy tone, asked me tough questions about Christianity and political issues, hoping to see me squirm. But because I used that same playbook when I was an atheist, I actually enjoyed the exchanges just as much as they did. Whenever I didn't know how to answer a question about my faith, I simply smiled with great pleasure and said, "I don't know; but if you'd like we can look into the Bible together and see what it says." To which they declined and walked away laughing. After several of these interactions, while again chuckling at the prospect of changing up the game, they said, "sure, we'll do that." We began meeting weekly and together we searched the Bible while laughing at its outrageous content - to them it was the unbelievability of its reliability and to me it was how unfathomably amazing it is that Jesus died for me. Since I went through a similar process of considering the Bible's claims before coming to faith, I could acknowledge their valid points, share what I learned, admit when I lacked answers (nobody has all the answers), and confidently state that my ignorance doesn't change the truth. While one of them remained an atheist (and became antagonistic), in time, the other received Christ as his Savior and Lord. Though it was just a month before he graduated with an engineering degree and already had sure job prospects, he went on to seminary and became a pastor.
God loves everyone and wants each person to receive salvation through Jesus Christ. Christians have an amazing opportunity to bring this Good News to unbelievers. As we engage politically and advocate for laws that honor God, we need to guard against allowing civic issues to overshadow the core Gospel message. If we care about both the issues and the people with which we disagree, our words will be a better representation of Jesus and will be more likely to result in constructive reception.
By lamenting, forgiving those who persecute Christians, loving and praying for our leaders, and exercising self-control in what we fill our minds with and how we react amid political conflict, we are in position to effectively share why we believe what we believe. In so doing, and in sharing our personal stories of our transformation through Jesus, we can be messengers of hope, reconciliation, and wisdom.
On a final note, I have found it especially helpful to learn from the examples of Christians who have recorded their memoirs. The first three (Prodan, Sheikh, and ten Boom) experienced severe forms of persecution, and the last (Yancey) was raised in a church culture that was hostile toward outsiders:
Philip Yancey's, Where the Light Fell: A Memoir (2023)