Posts Tagged ‘politicians’
ICE, POLITICIANS & THE POLICE: Rebellion, Independence and Resistance to Authority
A lack of honor, submission and love of those in authority is spreading in the nation—and in the church.
No matter how terribly the policies and character of someone in authority might trouble me, I refuse to lash out, disrespect or defame them. While President Biden and others on the left promoted many egregious mindsets when they were in office, as a follower of Jesus it would be wildly inappropriate and sinful if I were to express myself through personal assaults.
The same is true now, when President Trump is leading our nation. Our words matter.
When he was in office, President Biden was my authority. In fact, he was placed there by God and the way I responded to his placement revealed the condition of my heart. The way we respond to President Trump, ICE, the police, bosses at work, judges and other authorities is equally significant.
Romans 13:1: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Before you presume that we are only subject to righteous governing authorities, check out what Jesus told Pilate:
John 19:11: Jesus himself acknowledged this when he told Pilate, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”
Current events have the nation debating the activities of ICE, the police, politicians and other authorities, and it's shameful the way so many are responding. Each of these positions hold God-given authority and our response to them must be honor, respect, love and subjection.
Instead of exhibiting aggression, resistance and employing strategies to make it hard for ICE and the police to do their job, the right response is something altogether different.
We honor them.
We respond with humility.
We comply with every directive unless it's clearly and obviously evil and illegal. (This means clear wickedness, not disputed interpretations of law.)
“Yes, sir,” and “yes, ma'am” should flow from our mouths.
1 Peter 2:17: “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
The spirit of independence that so many are overly proud of in this nation very well might be our downfall. Resistance to authority as we beat our chests and denounce every detractor is a vile trend that's weakening society.
Titus 3:1: “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.”
Remember, if we fail to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and to do whatever is good, severe judgment follows. Romans 13:1-2 makes this clear:
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.“
Gossip, slander and other speech that attacks, shames, defames or reveals hatred in our heart is forbidden for Christians. Judgment will be swift.
How should we respond instead? Scripture addresses that as well:
1 Timothy 2:1-2: “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.”
REBELLION IN THE CHURCH
It can be argued that those who are resisting the authority of the police in the streets of our cities are mostly on the left and mostly by those who have not surrendered their lives to Jesus. It would be easy to point the finger toward the other side of the aisle and arrogantly presume we are more righteous.
On the contrary, deep repentance must hit the church due to our resistance of God's ordained leaders. The anti-leadership movement is alive and well among America's Christians.
Hebrews 13:17: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
An Absalom spirit has overtaken many who are determined to highlight weaknesses in their leaders. They bring their complaints and ensure they spread far and fast to any who will listen. They spiritualize their “concerns” and put leaders on blast, whether it's in their small circle or on social media for all to see.
2 Samuel 15:6: And Absalom would add, ‘If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.
Absalom received the gossip, the complaints and the concerns about their rightful leader David. This was his sin.
Instead of ensuring the work of their leaders are a joy, according to Hebrews, resisters of God-ordained leadership become burdens, distractions and antagonists.
Just as with the police and politicians, God ordains all authority, including pastors and spiritual leaders. Our personal opinions and insights cannot be allowed to bring division to the camp or to threaten the greater mission.
Of course, we will never agree on every point, but we must have the fear of the Lord weighing heavily on us before we presume it's appropriate to spread those disagreements like a virus. Gossip is deadly. Gossip is witchcraft. A group of gossips is nothing less than a coven meeting of people operating in the sin of witchcraft.
1 Samuel 15:23: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…”
The following is from my article, 5 Reasons Not To Leave A Church.
(A reason NOT to leave a church) The leaders aren’t doing things the way most people think they should. Many people believe leaders should make it easy for people to follow them. I disagree. Church leaders are mandated to lead people into some of the most challenging, risky and costly missions the world has ever known. People should actually make it easy for church leaders to lead them.
People made it hard for Moses to lead them into the Promised Land and they died. They made it easy for Joshua to do the same, and they dominated.
It's evident that rebellion, gossip, a lack of honor and an independent spirit are rampant in the church today. It couldn't be clearer and it's deadly both to the church and to those who have been poisoned by their own destructive opinions. (Keep in mind, opinions can be destructive even if they are correct.)
WHAT ABOUT EXTREME SITUATIONS?
I was hesitant to include this final section as it seems obvious that we shouldn't submit to clear and obvious evil. However, whenever I teach on healthy, biblical honor of authorities, this is the accusation that most immediately rises up.
We must understand the difference between our attitude and our actions when presented with commands that would require us to defy clear and obvious scriptures.
If an authority were to command me to cover up theft, for example, my response would be to refuse. My action must align with the Word of God.
However, my attitude must also align with the Word of God. I would honor them, pray for them, refuse to gossip about them and carry the burden of deliverance for them. I would have an assignment to do all I could to campaign for their transformation.
Of course, different situations demand different responses, but the truth about our actions and our attitudes remain.
Matthew 18 protocol may need to be enacted. The step-by-step process must be followed.
Matthew 18:15-17: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
In severe situations, when people are in harm's way, our response should be immediate. Help should definitely be sought out and people's well being must be primary. A clear and present danger requires this.
But, again, our attitude and our actions matter. The way we carry our heart is significant. Our intercession is important.
We must ensure we don't become jaded due to the actions of others. If we remain in a place of love and allow the Holy Spirit to guide every step in difficult situations, the life and peace that results will be the strength we need. God's grace is sufficient.
The truth remains, our nation is at risk due to an independent spirit, rebellion and a spirit of witchcraft that has been unleashed as a result.
The same is true in the church. Widespread and immediate repentance must overwhelm us. The Holy Spirit cannot move the way he desires if rebellion, pride and a spirit of independence continues to dominate the way it has been.
Let's lift up our leaders and get ready for a mighty move of God in our nation! We are in desperate times!
PRAYER FOR LEADERS
Today my pastor released the following as part of our twenty-one-day fast. I think it's appropriate given the subject of this article to share it with you:
DAY 2—SPIRITUAL COVERING FOR LEADERS
Scripture: Isaiah 54:17 | Hebrews 13:17 | Ephesians 6:12
Victory Church Family,
Today we stand in the gap for every leader—our pastors, ministry heads, and their families. Leadership carries weight, responsibility, and unseen spiritual warfare.
TODAY WE PRAY:
• Protection over their lives, families, and ministries—no weapon formed against them shall prosper
• Supernatural strength to serve from intimacy with God, not exhaustion
• Wisdom and discernment in every decision
• Joy in their service and covering over their households
Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. Let’s contend together in prayer, believing our leaders will finish well with joy and the fullness of God’s favor.
Join us in praying for our leaders today.
Troublers of America, Arise!
Where are the firebrands who will fearlessly confront the wicked systems of the day?
Handcuffs, ankle monitors and locked church buildings are the new normal for many Christians in America today. The state has threatened worshipers of Jesus at the same time they are opening the “essential” doors of Planned Parenthood wide. Somehow it's safe to congregate at Walmart, Home Depot, liquor stores and on golf courses but gathering in worship, prayer and repentance are a threat to national safety.
A closed church isn't the most disturbing reality, however.
PROPHETIC TROUBLERS
17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 1 Kings 18:17 (ESV)
The pathetic extent of many Christian's response to the lock-downs and governmental threats is to remind people to wash their hands as they shelter in place and fearfully wait it out as they hope for the best. It's shameful. Washing hands is a great common sense idea, but how can that be the best insight and advice a blood-bought, Spirit-filled, fire-breathing Christian can offer?
The most disturbing reality in the midst of this crisis is a muzzled, cowering church. Where are those who have a reputation as troublers? The church shouldn't be afraid of the United States government. The church should cause politicians to tremble!
The time is now for humble yet bold prophetic people to use every medium available to them to strike cultures and unholy systems with ferocity! Cast down arguments, assault wickedness and become defenders of our rights as Americans to assemble, to worship and to be free from tyranny. The Constitution wasn't written to protect us from a virus at the cost of our liberty. It is in place to protect our rights, and those rights aren't suspended in the midst of a pandemic or any other crisis.
After being accused of troubling Israel, Elijah, in the anointing of the Lord, struck back with the sword of truth:
18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. 1 Kings 18:18 (ESV)
Holy indignation must erupt from within as we clearly stand against the threats, taunts and attempts to shut down the only governmental authority that outranks that of the United States of America: the church.
The secular leadership of our nation, our states and our localities need to hear loud and clear, whether they might identify as Believers in Jesus or not: America has abandoned the commandments of the Lord!
Troublers of America Arise! from John Burton on Vimeo.
POLITICS IN THE PULPIT
I would suggest pastors who refuse to consistently and without apology confront the spirit of the age, including vile cultural and political positions that are embraced, celebrated and promoted by our nation's leaders and influencers, have disqualified themselves from ministry. Ichabod may soon be stamped above the doorposts of their church if it hasn't been done already.
When pastors understand their prime call is to equip a prophetic people to expose and assault the kingdom of darkness, it will become clear that it's not possible to go silent on the politics and immoralities in the land.
Sadly, there is but a small number of fervent, devoted, highly trained and radically surrendered people who are prepared to respond to the taunts and assaults that the enemy is bringing through this testing season. Instead of equipping the people diligently over the last few decades, many pastors have instead played around in the shallows in the hopes that they keep everybody comfortable and happy. Instead of trained warriors they have produced sloths who have little interest in the things of the Spirit.
PROPHETIC SYSTEMS
21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21 (ESV)
Elijah demanded a decision. He fearlessly confronted leaders, false prophets and all of the people and called them out. He didn't stop there. He went to war in the power of God and ultimately killed all 450 of the prophets.
There are extremely powerful prophetic systems in America today that must be not only confronted but taken out via the power of the Holy Spirit. The media is prophesying lies twenty-four hours a day. Many politicians are releasing oracles that originate from wicked hearts that are in radical rebellion to God. Lawmakers are enforcing demonically influenced restrictions on the church. Satan is gaining ground while Christians sleep.
We need troublers of America to arise! This prophetic army will be deeply humble, surrendered and functioning from a place of sobriety. They won't sound mere opinions but will rather trumpet prophetic truths. They won't stand still when liberties that so many gave their lives to protect are ripped away from us. They will aggressively and with fire in their eyes stare down the enemy and remove him from his place.
It's time the unrighteous leaders of America hear loud and clear that they have been disobedient to the Lord God and that God has an awakened, equipped and determined people who will confront their unholy advances in this hour.
A REPAIRED ALTAR
31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” 1 Kings 18:31 (ESV)
Holy confrontation isn't the ultimate goal. A restored altar is. America must be taken back and we can't get there without you and I standing up boldly to the spirit of the age. Jezebel must go. False prophetic systems must go. The rains of refreshing must return but that will only happen as the nation repents as a result of God's people taking a stand.
A restored altar to the one true God in America is the goal. This is a season of divine reset and every one of us must shift dramatically. Repentance must hit us deeply as we renounce a casual, shallow life. Today is the day for you and everyone of us to respond to the call of the Lord to fight against deeply wicked systems in our nation. The altar will be built, the false prophets will die and the fire will fall. Only then can we call America a Christian nation again.
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God.” 40 And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there. 41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 1 Kings 18:38-41 (ESV)
Originally published on The Stream.