America’s 2020 presidential election is right around the corner. The usual posturing, mud-slinging, glad-handing, and promising is heightened as some cities are plagued by protests and civil-unrest. This is to say nothing of coronavirus, which has killed about 180,000 Americans and could have our economy on a ventilator before long.

All of this had my mind going back to a post I wrote prior to the 2016 election. I won’t repost the whole thing because a fair amount of it dealt with politics at the time. (If you dare, read the full post here: https://thevoiceofone.org/2016/10/06/just-the-factions-maam/). This time, it’s Biden versus Trump instead of Clinton vs. Trump. But the core spiritual issues are the same so I’ve reposted the relevant part below.

Politics can be a dangerous passion, as spiritually destructive as sexual immorality or addiction. But, as the excerpt from my post explains, we are blind to the danger when our political views are wedded to our sense of what is right. “For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:14-15).

(And yes, I’m voting for Batman again. One of these years, he might just win!)

***

….I asked myself, Why do political discussions become so passionate and personal?  Unable to answer, I asked the Lord.  His answer?  When people argue to prove their candidate is right, they are really arguing to prove that they are right.  The whole thing boils down to self.  Each of us sees ourselves as good people with good judgment.  When our candidate is challenged, our own good character and judgment are what’s really at stake.  To attack my candidate is to attack me.

Galatians 5:19-21 say:

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Did you notice that “factions” is in this list?  Christians are good at pointing out that sexual immorality or idolatry will keep you from the kingdom of God.  Do we ever think the way we carry ourselves politically will keep us from the kingdom?

I’m not condemning political activity as such.  I think it’s possible to have political convictions, vote how you want, or run for office if God calls.  At what point does political activity devolve into fleshly factions?  That’s between you and God.  It’s probably different for each person.

Regardless of party preference, God has one answer: the cross.

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24).

If you belong to Christ, the passions that drive factions have been crucified.  If you walk in factions you are not walking in the cross.

So the real choice facing Americans (especially Christians) is not between [candidates].  It’s between flesh and Spirit; between proving yourself and dying to self.

P.S. I’m voting for a write-in candidate: Batman 😉