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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

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