In difficult, political times there's always that desperate temptation by the populous to look for a leader to place faith and allegiance to for rescue.
Unfortunately it's most often a human leader over and above Jesus Christ, God the Son.
So, a way to seque political talk to communicate understanding for one's desire for a truly good leader (without bashing any current human leaders....remember God's permitted and/or placed those leaders in position for His greater purposes, one reason is it being seen that the hoped in leader is not the answer), is to be pointing to the Leader Who can truly be trusted, eternally.....Jesus Christ.
I think this both counters false assurance in human leaders and false teachings, while pointing to the greater need, faith in Jesus Christ.
It's hard to see what's happening politically and religiously.....but then we are told these things will happen. It's greiving to see but God's prophetic Word is proving true as this age is drawing to a close.
Yes, the church needs to warn and also be alert to false teachings and movements. I believe sharing God's truth is what does this.
Someone I know communicated to me the agreement or the interesting thought that Trump might be the antichrist. God impressed upon me not to either defend or contend against Trump but rather use the Sword of the Spirit, God's Word, His truth, for the greater spiritual understanding.
My response was to share what the Bible says about the antichrist and let this person come to their own conclusions.
That truth being that the whole world will be in awe, support and great favor towards the antichrist, hanging on every word and overwhelmingly approving of him, whether democrat, republican, American, Middle Eastern, European, etc. He will actually unite the world rather than divide, for he will speak the world's values and ways. I could see this gave pause for thought and by God's grace I was able to get past defenses and world views.
It reminds me of Ephesians 6:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].
So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].
Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.
Vs 12-18 AMP
As far as God's and our reputation as His followers, we are told that there will be those who'll slander 'the way':
But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.
2 Peter 2:1-3
God's faithful to display and share His truth through His creation, mankind's conscience and His Word.
For the sake of those God's calling, we need to simply share His truth (being careful not to be diverted in reaction mode but rather offensively utilizing the Sword of the Spirit, Gods Word, His Truth.....God will guide in this).
You can be sure that God will preserve His reputation, His Word's and ours.
I know this by experience. In a couple of situations in my life I could've panicked, scrambled in reaction mode, spinning my wheels because of my deep concern for loved ones and my highly, falsely slandared reputation by others. It's been tricky to navigate.
God impressed upon my heart to calmly stand on His Word (not necessarily contending over the issues of the day, that turns into an unproductive black hole in my situation), sharing at strategic moments and prayerfully trusting the outcomes to Him. This has proved in the long run to be the most effective. One situation I'm trusting God for possibly after I'm not here and called home to be with the Lord.
However, the difficult situations only served to show God's the better way to others in my life, who then have seen the truth for themselves. Some have returned and asked for forgiveness, showing God's work in their hearts...praise God!
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