Skip to main content

Should We Hate Politicians?


There is hardly a time when scrolling through Facebook postings that I haven’t shuddered after reading some of the vicious, hateful posts against people, particularly American politicians.  There is no doubt that President Trump is the primary target.  Now, before anyone assumes this is political – it is not! It is about protecting the people who are doing the posting, because they may not be aware of what God thinks of their actions.    
It’s understandable that we can become upset over the actions of some of our politicians because we care for the future of our nation, but there is a boundary line that we need to understand and abide by if we are at all concerned about God’s judgements towards ourselves. What is that boundary, you may ask?  We cross it when we become obsessed with attacking and condemning the person.   When we do this we set ourselves up for the same measure of condemnation and intolerance that we measure out to them. There is a spiritual law from the Bible that states that the measure we use to condemn others will be the same measure that will be used by God to judge us, and we will all come before God’s judgement.  “…condemn not, and you will not be condemned…” Luke 6:37  
Also, when we constantly slander or libel someone we, ourselves, become spiritually impaired, which quickly leads us into a state of blindness.  Blindness is darkness of the mind and soul, and is a frightening state to be in because we cannot see what state we are actually in! The hatred and shallowness displayed is obvious to most everyone except the attacker, and this is a rather embarrassing position to be in.  Some reading this may say, “I am not blind! But, you and everyone who doesn’t think like me are!”  Really? The frightening thing about deception is that you never think you are deceived. You cannot see because you are spiritually blind! For example, blindness allows us to accuse others of being intolerant, yet keeps us from seeing our own intolerance in our accusation!  
Perhaps it is helpful for us to understand that we do have a right and an obligation to discuss, critique, and agree or disagree with policy, ideology, or actions – we certainly should not follow anyone along foolishly and or naively.  We can disagree, criticize and attack their ideas and actions, and we can even hate their deeds, but we don’t have the right to hate or condemn anyone.  We can and should use our vote to bring change when needed; but when it comes to viciously attacking a person or persons over and over, we are crossing a line into hate, obsession and blinding darkness.  
The Apostle Paul had to make a public correction when he called the High Priest of Israel a white washed wall after he ordered that Paul be struck. “Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!  You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!"  Those who were standing near Paul said, "How dare you insult God's high priest!" Paul replied, "Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: 'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.'" Acts 23:3-5.   This is a lesson for all of us, no matter who is in the White House or any other position of leadership.
Here is another one of God’s important instructions given to us in His Word: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”  1 Timothy 2:2-4
We are instructed to pray for our leaders that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness, which is good and pleases God our Savior! Yes, by all means, educate yourself and keep abreast of current events, issues and policies.   We may hate the behavior of some of our leaders, but let’s make sure we please God by sincerely praying and interceding for them, for this matter is an important issue of the heart!  
Please don’t take the condition of your heart lightly! Our hearts must be guarded very carefully, lest as the Apostle Paul also warned us: “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” Ephesians 4:18
Let the wise be wise!
In Christ,
Pastor Gary Smith

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ETERNAL JUDGEMENT and THE JUDGEMENT OF THE BELIEVER

Did you know that judgement is a basic teaching of Christianity and the Jewish faith? Here is what the New Testament writer of the Book of Hebrews said; “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites (baptisms), the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.” Hebrews 6:1-3 You may have noticed that this is not a common topic in today’s church! Personally, I do not think I have ever heard a sermon on it, though books have been written that cover the topic quite well. (For example Derek Prince’s book on Eternal Judgement is exceptionally good.) But, in the past this was not always the case, as we can see when the Apostle Paul stood before Governor Felix and his wife Drusilla explaining “faith in Christ Jesus”. “He sent for Paul and listened t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Raising Kids, Manners, and The Golden Rule

So, what do Manners and The Golden Rule have to do with raising kids past and present? There really is a very important connection.  If we want to see children today grow into upstanding adults who do well in life, we really need to be diligent in teaching them manners and also The Golden Rule -- wouldn’t you agree?  Let’s first look at what is known as the Golden Rule. In Jesus’ teaching found in Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”  Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone was aware of and practiced this in everything?  Well, it is not something that comes automatically to people, especially children!  So you might be wondering, how do we put this into practice?   Glad you asked.  Here’s how we can start.  Begin by teaching your children good manners-- yes, I said GOOD MANNERS. Why good manners?  Because good manners are really the...
1 comment
Read more

SECULAR HUMANISM – AMERICAN’S NEW RELIGION

  Though the evidence of Secular Humanism can be found everywhere in our culture few individuals seem to be able to define it or identify its pernicious presence. Many do not recognize that Secular Humanism has become America’s new religion; for this very reason we must learn what it is and how it is affecting us. We need to seek answers to these questions: What is it? What does it teach? Where is it at work in our society today? First let us define it: (I have taken the liberty to copy this brief definition from a commentary of the late Bible scholar Dr. Donald C. Stamps.) “Secular humanism teaches that humanity, the universe and all that exists consist only of matter and energy shaped into their present form by impersonal chance. It teaches that humans have not been created by a personal God, but are the product of a chance process of evolution. It rejects belief in a personal, infinite God and denies that the Bible is God’s inspired revelation to the human race (atheis...
Post a Comment
Read more