FAITH AND POLITICS

 

They say that if you want a quiet and peaceful conversation, you should avoid the topics of politics and religion. Many believers try to avoid these controversial discussions in order to maintain a peace-loving environment with everyone. The intention may be good, but by constantly avoiding these matters, we end up not knowing how to talk about them properly. By playing safe too often, we compromise instead. Recently, social media has been very loud with political debates. (To think, I don’t even know the full details of that wedding issue about supposed witchcraft, and already there’s a new one!) Many of us Christians, unfortunately, do not know how to engage with opposing opinions.

No matter what your position may be on certain issues, as believers, there are things we must not forget:

1. We are mandated to engage in political discussions.

The faith we have cannot just be boxed inside the church or tucked into our personal lives. A genuine, living faith must be able to affect others positively (James 2:14–17). The Lord commanded His people to seek the welfare of the place where they were: “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jer 29:7)

At this time, the Israelites were in Babylon, their enemy. Still, God wanted them to care for them. This also applies to us, since we are likewise “exiles” (1 Pet 1:17; 2:11). Whether we like it or not, we are affected by what happens around us, so we must care.

We also have many examples of those who engaged political authorities. Moses confronted Pharaoh for the freedom of the Israelites (Exod 5–12). Elijah challenged King Ahab and Jezebel for their idolatry and injustice (1 Kgs 18–21). Nathan rebuked David for his sin (2 Sam 12). Daniel defied King Darius’ decree against prayer (Dan 6). John the Baptist publicly condemned King Herod’s immorality (Matt 14). Paul often stood before Roman authorities to demand justice (Acts 18, 21, 22, 25). And of course, Jesus Christ engaged in debates with Jewish religious leaders as well as Roman authorities. Being the “salt and light of the world” (Matt 5:13–16) requires us to be active members of society who care for the well-being of others—even if it means confronting and holding accountable those in authority.

2. We must ground our political convictions on biblical principles.

We may have the freedom to take a stand on issues or to support a certain candidate, but we do not have the right to twist the truths of the Bible to justify our preferences! As believers, we must allow God’s Word to challenge our opinions and biases. It would be hypocrisy to claim that we follow Jesus, yet dismiss His words when it comes to political matters. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Lk 6:46) Whatever stand we take on current issues, it must be rooted in what is right. “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isa 1:17)

God commanded His people to appoint leaders who “shall judge the people fairly” (Deut 16:18). He also said: “Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (vv. 19–20)

If we must take sides, it should obviously not be on the side of the guilty. To side with the wicked and oppress the innocent is to oppose God (Prov 17:15)! God values justice and cares for the oppressed, and so must we.

3. We have to seek understanding and speak the truth in love.

James gives us a good formula for conversation: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19–20)

This applies in how we talk with those who have different political views. We must be humble and willing to listen to better understand their perspective and also to challenge our own biases. Through proper discussion, we too can learn. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Prov 11:12)

Believers must “speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15) at all times. This means being truthful yet kind. We must be careful not to spread false or misleading information. It’s shameful! We must be discerning about what we post, share, and read online. Not everything that supports our bias is true. Sometimes, sadly, Christians themselves are the ones easily fooled by conspiracy theories and fake, edited content. Fake news spreads because we allow it.

We must also learn to express our opinions gently and lovingly so discussions remain productive. If anger rules, the conversation leads nowhere. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Prov 15:11)

4. We should never forget that we are citizens of the Kingdom.

As believers, we are more than citizens of our earthly nation, because our true “citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20). We belong to a kingdom “not of this world but from another place” (Jn 18:36). Since this world is not really our home, we must not be distracted and forget the greater spiritual realities. In the midst of political chaos: “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is,” and, “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Col 3:1–2)

There is nothing wrong with participating in politics and engaging in controversial issues. But all our actions, choices, and positions must reflect our identity as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20) to the world. We must be careful with our opinions and how we express them, for they reveal our true priorities. Believers may disagree on many issues, but as long as we are all Kingdom-oriented, unity remains possible. Stay Curious.