We live in a very loud world. Everywhere we look, people are shouting about their opinions. On the news and on social media, everyone seems angry. Most of this anger comes from faith and politics.
As followers of Jesus, we have a big question to ask. Is our love for a political party changing how we follow Christ? Or is our love for Christ changing how we look at politics?
This is a hard topic, but it is a vital one. We want to be disciples first. A disciple is just a fancy word for a student who follows a teacher. Our teacher is Jesus. If we follow Him, He must be the one who leads our hearts.
In this post, we will look at how to keep your faith stronger than your politics.
What Does It Mean to Be Deformed?
The word “deform” means to change the shape of something. Think of a piece of clay. If you press on it with your thumb, the shape changes.
The world is always trying to press on us. It wants to shape us into its own image. This is especially true when it comes to faith and politics.
The Pressure of the World
TV shows and news sites want you to be angry. They want you to pick a side and stay there. If we are not careful, we start to look like the world instead of looking like Jesus.
The Mirror of the Word
The Bible tells us not to be “conformed” to this world. That means we should not let the world squeeze us into its mold. Instead, we should let God change the way we think.
If you find yourself more worried about an election than you are about loving your neighbor, your faith might be getting squeezed.
Putting the Kingdom First
Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is not like a country on a map. It is the place where God is King.
When we talk about faith and politics, we must remember which kingdom we belong to.
- Our first home is Heaven. We are citizens of God’s Kingdom first.
- Our first leader is Jesus. No president or leader can take His place.
- Our first law is Love. Jesus told us to love God and love others.
If our political views make us hate our “enemies,” we are following the wrong kingdom. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies. That is a hard rule to follow, but it is the way of the Kingdom.
How Politics Can Hide the Gospel
The “Gospel” is the Good News about Jesus. It is the story of how Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us new life.
Sometimes, we get so busy talking about faith and politics that we forget to talk about the Gospel.
Does Your Flag Block the Cross?
It is okay to love your country. But we must be careful. If people look at us and only see our political signs, they might miss the Cross.
The Cross is for everyone. It is for people on the “right” and people on the “left.” If our politics makes people feel like they aren’t welcome in church, we have a problem.
Winning the Argument vs. Winning the Soul
Have you ever won an argument on Facebook but felt bad afterward? That is because winning an argument is not our job. Our job is to show people the love of Christ.
Politics often divides people. Jesus is the one who brings people together.
Three Signs Your Politics Might Be Deforming Your Faith
How do we know if we are off track? Here are three simple signs to look for in your own heart.
1. You Are Always Angry
The Bible says that the “anger of man” does not produce the life God wants for us. If reading the news makes you feel mean or hateful, take a break. God wants us to have peace.
2. You Only Love People Who Agree With You
Jesus said even people who don’t know God love their friends. He wants us to do more. He wants us to be kind to people who vote differently than we do.
3. You Trust a Leader More Than God
No human leader can save the world. Only Jesus can do that. If you feel like the world will end if your “side” loses, you might be putting too much trust in man.
Steps to Keep a Healthy Balance
It is possible to care about your country and still follow Jesus perfectly. Here is how to keep your faith and politics in the right order.
- Read the Bible more than the news. The Bible is the truth that never changes. The news changes every hour.
- Pray for all leaders. The Bible tells us to pray for those in power. We don’t just pray for the ones we like. We pray for God to give them wisdom.
- Look for the “Fruit of the Spirit.” When you talk about politics, are you being kind? Are you being patient? If not, stop and ask God for help.
- Listen to others. Try to understand why someone else thinks the way they do. You don’t have to agree, but you should be respectful.
Practical Discipline for the Digital Age
Being a disciplined Christian means making choices about what we see and hear. Our brains can only handle so much stress.
Set a “News Diet”
Try only checking the news once a day. Spend the rest of your time focusing on your family, your work, and your church.
Focus on Your Local Community
Politics often feels big and far away. But your neighbor is right next door. You can’t fix everything in the capital, but you can help someone in your own town. This is how we live out our faith and politics in a real way.
The Way of the Wise Friend
I want to encourage you today. It is okay to be confused by the world. It is a messy place! But you do not have to let the mess get inside your heart.
Remember, Jesus is on the throne. He is not worried about the news. He is not worried about who is winning a debate. He is focused on you and your heart.
When we focus on faith and politics, let’s make sure our faith is the leader. Let’s make sure our words are seasoned with grace.
Staying True to Jesus
In the end, we will not be asked who we voted for when we stand before God. We will be asked if we followed Jesus.
Don’t let the world change your shape. Let the Holy Spirit mold you into someone who looks like Christ. Keep your eyes on Him. When we put Jesus first, everything else starts to make sense.
Keep seeking the Kingdom. Keep loving your neighbors. And keep your faith and politics in the right place—with Jesus at the very top.
