There is no question that the Church faces powerful influences from the secular world. We see the attack upon the family, the corruption of our children, the loss of respect for biblical authority, the spread of ungodly philosophies, and increasing hostility toward anyone who holds to the teachings of Scripture.
These are real concerns, and we should not close our eyes to them.
The Apostle Paul warned us:
“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
We are in a spiritual battle. However, I have come to believe that the greatest battle facing the Church is not coming from the secular world. The most dangerous battle is taking place within the Church itself.
The world has always been worldly. Sinners have always acted like sinners. Governments have always sought power, false religions have always opposed the truth, and wickedness has always attempted to corrupt the innocent.
The greater tragedy is that the Church has begun to think, speak, and act like the world.
The Church at Laodicea
When I look at much of the Church today, I see the condition described in Revelation chapter 3:
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” — Revelation 3:15–16, KJV
That is where we are today.
We are not entirely cold. We still have church buildings, Sunday services, Christian music, religious organizations, television ministries, conferences, books, and political gatherings. We still use the name of Jesus and talk about taking America back for God.
But neither are we truly hot.
Where are the prayer meetings? Where is the burden for the lost? Where is the conviction of sin? Where is the call to repentance? Where is the preaching of holiness? Where are the broken hearts crying out for revival?
We have activity without spiritual power. We have Christian language without Christlike character. We have political passion without a burden for souls.
We are lukewarm.
We Think We Are Rich
Jesus continued His message to Laodicea:
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing…” — Revelation 3:17, KJV
The Laodicean church thought it was successful. It had resources and did not believe it needed anything. Yet Jesus saw something entirely different:
“…and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” — Revelation 3:17, KJV
That is a frightening description.
A church can have a beautiful building and still be spiritually poor. It can have money in the bank and still be miserable. It can have a large crowd and still be blind. It can have political influence and still be naked before God.
We have mistaken prosperity for blessing, crowds for revival, excitement for the moving of the Holy Ghost, and political access for spiritual authority.
We keep talking about what the world is doing to the Church, but we seldom ask what the Church has done to itself.
The Political-Loyalty Front
One of the greatest spiritual battles within the Church is political loyalty.
There are Christians who appear more loyal to their political party than to Jesus Christ. They will condemn dishonesty, immorality, cruelty, corruption, or abuse of power when it is committed by the opposing party. Yet when the same behavior appears in their preferred leader, they make excuses for it.
That is not spiritual discernment. It is partiality.
The Bible says:
“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” — James 2:1, KJV
Wrong does not become right because our candidate does it. Sin does not become righteousness because it advances our political agenda.
Jesus gave us the test:
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” — Matthew 7:20, KJV
He did not say that we would know them by their speeches, campaign promises, party affiliation, or ability to quote Scripture. He said we would know them by their fruit.
When Christians defend in their political leader what they would condemn in someone else, that political leader has become an idol.
The Nationalism Front
I love my country. I am thankful for the freedoms we have enjoyed, and I believe Christians should be responsible citizens. But America is not the kingdom of God.
Jesus said:
“My kingdom is not of this world…” — John 18:36, KJV
The kingdom of God does not fly beneath the flag of any earthly nation. It is made up of the redeemed from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
There is a dangerous drift within the Church from a spiritual understanding of world events toward a nationalistic one. Instead of asking, “What does the Bible teach?” we ask, “What is best for America?” Instead of asking, “What would Jesus have us do?” we ask, “What will help our side win?”
Those questions will not always produce the same answer.
Our first loyalty must be to Jesus Christ. If our nation acts unjustly, we must be willing to say so. If our government harms innocent people, we must care about those people even when they live beyond our borders. If our political leaders promote vengeance, cruelty, pride, or war, the Church must not bless those things merely because they are presented as acts of patriotism.
Patriotism can be honorable. Nationalism becomes idolatry when the nation is placed where only Christ belongs.
The Neglected-Doctrine Front
Churches have become eager to discuss political agendas while neglecting the doctrines of Jesus.
Jesus taught us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, pray for those who despitefully use us, forgive those who wrong us, care for the poor, welcome the stranger, make peace, speak truth, reject hypocrisy, and seek first the kingdom of God.
When was the last time some churches seriously taught those doctrines?
We hear about defeating our enemies, but Jesus said:
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you…” — Matthew 5:44, KJV
We hear about making people afraid of us, but Jesus said:
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” — Matthew 5:9, KJV
We hear about gaining power, but Jesus said:
“Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” — Matthew 20:27, KJV
We cannot ignore the plain teachings of Jesus and then call our political agenda a spiritual movement.
If our political philosophy requires us to explain away the Sermon on the Mount, something is wrong with our philosophy—not with the words of Jesus.
The Politicized-Pulpit Front
The prophets of the Bible did not exist to endorse kings. They existed to speak the truth to them.
Nathan confronted David. Elijah confronted Ahab. John the Baptist confronted Herod. They did not first ask whether their words would help the opposing political party.
Some ministers today seem to believe that their responsibility is to defend a political leader. They explain away his conduct, repeat his claims without examination, and tell their congregations that supporting him is the same as supporting God.
That is dangerous ground.
A preacher who cannot correct his preferred political leader has lost his prophetic voice. He has become a political spokesman standing behind a pulpit.
The Church must never allow politicians to use Christian language as a substitute for Christian fruit. Speaking the name of God does not prove that a person is directed by God. Satan quoted Scripture when he tempted Jesus.
Everything must be tested by the Word of God.
The Fear-and-Anger Front
Fear has become one of the most effective tools for controlling the Church.
We are continually told that every election is the final battle, every political opponent is an agent of Satan, and the Church will be destroyed unless we place the right person in office.
Fear may raise money, attract an audience, and turn out voters, but fear does not produce holiness.
The Bible says:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7, KJV
Anger is no better.
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” — James 1:20, KJV
The constant political outrage is damaging our spiritual vision. We have become so busy watching the sins of the other side that we can no longer see the sins growing within our own camp.
Judgment Must Begin With Us
It is easy to identify the sins of the world. It takes spiritual courage to examine the sins of the Church.
Peter wrote:
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…” — 1 Peter 4:17, KJV
Before we demand that America repent, the Church must repent.
Before we tell the world to open its eyes, we must ask the Lord to open ours.
Before we expose the idols of secular society, we must tear down the political idols standing in our sanctuaries and hearts.
The greatest danger is not that the secular world will silence the Church. The greater danger is that the Church will keep its microphone, maintain its buildings, preserve its organizations, and retain its political influence while ceasing to proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Christ Is Calling Us to Repent
The message to Laodicea did not end without hope. Jesus said:
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” — Revelation 3:19, KJV
The Lord rebukes us because He loves us. He has not abandoned His Church. He is standing at the door, calling us back to Himself:
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock…” — Revelation 3:20, KJV
That verse was addressed to a church. Christ was standing outside, knocking upon the door of a congregation that still claimed His name.
Could that describe us today?
We will not win this battle through another election, another political organization, or another alliance with powerful leaders. We will win it when God’s people humble themselves, confess their sins, return to prayer, preach the whole counsel of God, obey the teachings of Jesus, and recover their burden for the lost.
Yes, there are enemies outside the walls. Yes, there are secular influences we must resist. But the greatest battlefield is within the Church.
Until we repent and get our spiritual eyes open, we will continue to lose the battle while congratulating ourselves that we are winning.
The Church does not merely need to become more politically active. The Church needs to become spiritually alive.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” — Revelation 3:22, KJV
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