As I look across this troubled old world, one truth becomes clearer with every passing day: we are in the midst of spiritual warfare.
The apostle Paul warned us plainly:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
—Ephesians 6:12, KJV
Our greatest battle is not against people, political parties, nations, races, or cultures. Behind the hatred, deception, violence, false religion, and rebellion against God lies a spiritual enemy. His name is Satan, and his purpose has not changed since he entered the Garden of Eden.
Jesus said of him:
“He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”
—John 8:44, KJV
I do not know how long this warfare had been raging before the creation of humanity, but I know that from the days of Adam and Eve, Satan has done everything within his power to corrupt and destroy what God created. In the garden, he questioned the Word of God. He planted doubt in Eve’s mind and then directly contradicted what God had said:
“Yea, hath God said…?”
—Genesis 3:1, KJV
Then he declared:
“Ye shall not surely die.”
—Genesis 3:4, KJV
That is still the devil’s method today. First, he causes people to question the Word of God. Then he convinces them that God did not really mean what He said. Finally, he leads them to believe that sin carries no consequences.
Satan does not always come wearing horns and carrying a pitchfork. Sometimes he comes dressed in religion. Sometimes he stands behind a pulpit. Sometimes he carries a Bible while denying its authority. Sometimes he hides behind a political movement, a patriotic slogan, a social cause, or an organization that promises peace while rejecting the Prince of Peace.
Paul warned:
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
—2 Corinthians 11:14, KJV
That is why the Church must possess spiritual discernment. Not everything that sounds compassionate is necessarily Christian. Everything called justice is not necessarily righteous. Everything described as religious is not of God. Everything wrapped in the flag is not holy, and every political victory is not a victory for Christ.
The Church Has Become Too Comfortable With Darkness
What troubles me deeply is the change I see within parts of modern evangelical Christianity. There was a time when Christians understood that our first loyalty belonged to Jesus Christ. Today, some pastors and churches appear willing to support organizations, religious systems, and political agendas that openly contradict the teachings of Christ.
The prophet Amos asked:
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
—Amos 3:3, KJV
That is a question the Church must answer.
How can we walk in fellowship with a movement that denies Jesus Christ while claiming that our loyalty to that movement is somehow an expression of Christian faith? How can we endorse teachings that contradict the words of Christ and then say we are defending Christianity? How can we embrace darkness for political advantage while claiming to represent the Light of the world?
Jesus said:
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
—John 8:12, KJV
There can be no spiritual partnership between the Light of Christ and teachings that deny Christ.
Paul wrote:
“And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”
—2 Corinthians 6:15, KJV
This does not mean we refuse to speak to people who disagree with us. Jesus spoke with sinners. He ate with publicans. He showed compassion to the outcast. He crossed social, racial, and religious boundaries to speak with the Samaritan woman. But He never compromised the truth to gain influence.
Jesus loved sinners, but He did not join them in their sin. He showed mercy, but He also said:
“Go, and sin no more.”
—John 8:11, KJV
That is the balance the Church is losing. Some preach condemnation without compassion. Others preach acceptance without repentance. Jesus offered both grace and truth.
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
—John 1:17, KJV
Grace without truth becomes permission to remain in darkness. Truth without grace becomes a weapon in the hands of self-righteous people. The Gospel gives us both.
Questions Every Christian Must Answer
There are some questions we can no longer avoid.
If an organization or individual denies that Jesus is the Son of God, how can a Christian give that denial spiritual approval?
John wrote:
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”
—1 John 2:22, KJV
If an organization teaches doctrines contrary to the teachings of Christ, how can we defend those teachings merely because the organization serves our political interests?
If a religious system denies the deity, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, how can we treat that system as spiritually equal to the Gospel?
If a political ideology requires us to excuse cruelty, deception, corruption, or the shedding of innocent blood, how can we place loyalty to that ideology above obedience to Christ?
If we condemn sin when the opposing party commits it but defend the same sin when our own side commits it, are we following Jesus—or have we made politics our God?
The Bible commands:
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV
We are not told to accept everything because a preacher recommends it, a politician endorses it, or a religious leader approves it. We must test every doctrine, movement, and allegiance by the Word of God.
Our standard is not whether something is conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, popular or unpopular. The question is whether it agrees with Jesus Christ and His Word.
We Must Separate False Teaching From the People Deceived by It
Let me make something very clear: I am drawing a distinction between people and the religious, organizational, or political systems they follow.
I do not hate the people.
A Christian must never hate Jews, Muslims, atheists, members of another political party, or anyone else. Every person was created in the image of God. Every soul is someone for whom Christ died. We may oppose false doctrine without hating those who believe it. We may expose darkness while showing compassion to those walking in it.
Paul explained the condition of those who do not believe:
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.”
—2 Corinthians 4:4, KJV
People who have been blinded do not need our hatred. They need the Light of the Gospel. They do not need Christians calling for their destruction. They need Christians praying for their salvation.
Jesus commanded:
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
—Matthew 5:44, KJV
We can love people without agreeing with their beliefs. We can show kindness without endorsing false doctrine. We can defend their civil rights without declaring their religion to be spiritually true. We can live peaceably beside them without joining them in worship.
The Christian’s weapon is not hatred. It is not violence, cruelty, or political vengeance.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”
—2 Corinthians 10:4, KJV
Our weapons are prayer, truth, faith, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, the Word of God, and the love of Christ.
Some Will Call Truth Hatred
We are living in a day when simply saying that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation is called hateful or intolerant. Yet Jesus Himself said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
—John 14:6, KJV
That is not my opinion. Those are the words of Jesus.
At the same time, we must be careful that our conduct does not give people a legitimate reason to accuse us of hatred. We must speak the truth with tears in our eyes and compassion in our hearts. We are not standing above lost people as though we saved ourselves. We were sinners who have been rescued by the grace of God, telling other sinners where they can find the same mercy.
When we expose false teaching, some will accuse us of attacking people. When we refuse to compromise with an antichrist spirit, some who claim to be Christians may even treat us as enemies.
Jesus warned:
“Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.”
—John 16:2, KJV
But we must also examine our own hearts. Not everyone who disagrees with us is fighting against God. Christians can disagree about political policies and still love Christ. We must not confuse our personal opinion with divine revelation. The test is not whether someone agrees with us on every issue. The test is whether we are faithful to Jesus Christ, His character, and His Word.
The Church Cannot Serve Two Masters.
The great danger facing the modern Church is divided loyalty. We want Christ as our Savior, but we often allow politics, nationalism, money, influence, or fear to become our master.
Jesus said:
“No man can serve two masters.”
—Matthew 6:24, KJV
The Church cannot bow before Christ on Sunday morning and then bow before political power on Monday. We cannot sing, “All to Jesus I surrender,” while giving our conscience to a party, nation, leader, organization, or religious alliance.
Whenever we excuse what Christ condemns because it benefits our political side, we have compromised. Whenever we remain silent about evil because speaking might cost us influence, we have compromised. Whenever we defend sin in our friends while condemning it in our enemies, we have abandoned righteous judgment.
Peter declared:
“We ought to obey God rather than men.”
—Acts 5:29, KJV
That ought to be the settled conviction of every believer. We will respect government, pray for our leaders, obey lawful authority, and seek peace—but our highest loyalty belongs to Jesus Christ.
Put On the Whole Armor of God
We cannot fight a spiritual battle using worldly weapons. Paul tells us:
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
—Ephesians 6:11, KJV
We need the belt of truth in a world filled with deception. We need the breastplate of righteousness in a culture that celebrates sin. We need feet prepared with the Gospel of peace in a world rushing toward war. We need the shield of faith when the enemy throws his fiery darts. We need the helmet of salvation to guard our minds. We need the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
And after we have put on the armor, we must pray.
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”
—Ephesians 6:18, KJV
Church, this is no hour for spiritual sleeping. This is no time to lay down our Bible, neglect the prayer closet, and allow political leaders to tell us what we ought to believe. We must return to the Word of God. We must return to prayer. We must return to holiness. We must return to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Choose You This Day
Joshua stood before Israel and gave them a choice:
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
—Joshua 24:15, KJV
That choice stands before the Church today.
Will we serve Christ or political power?
Will we follow Scripture or popular opinion?
Will we walk in the Light or compromise with darkness?
Will we love lost people enough to tell them the truth, or will we remain silent because we are afraid of being misunderstood?
The line is being drawn—not between political parties, races, nations, or cultures, but between truth and error, Light and darkness, Christ and the Spirit of antichrist.
It is time for those of us who call ourselves Christians to decide whom we truly serve.
Not with hatred.
Not with violence.
Not with pride.
But with courage, compassion, prayer, holiness, and an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.
As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
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