Although we are to pray for kings and for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-4), we are not to submit to ungodly laws and decrees that contradict Scripture. And we are not to remain silent and cower down before the wicked while anti-Christ laws and policies are passed, perverted values are celebrated, and bullying and intimidation against all righteousness and common sense become the norm.
In the Bible, Spirit-filled prophets and preachers confronted evil. I am following their lead and destroying a mindset in the church that we should never disobey the laws of the land and cannot speak against evil kings, corrupt governments or crooked courts. This is a false honor—the same false honor that was found in Germany in the time of Hitler’s takeover—a false honor that eulogized Hitler and allowed him to commit untold atrocities against the Jewish people and Christians who hid some of them.
The same scenario is unfolding itself right here in modern-day America. Dutch Sheets had this to say concerning the evil of this current president:
“And who could ever forget the mocking spirit demonstrated by our president when he decorated the White House with rainbow colors. Using one of God’s covenantal symbols, a symbol now used by the LGBT movement, President Obama delivered one of the most arrogant, in-your-face gestures ever performed by an American president. Knowing fully the anguish millions of Christians were experiencing over this ruling, and knowing the insult this act would be to those millions of Americans, he chose to decorate the White House in this gay and lesbian symbolism. When asked during a press conference to comment on the ruling (and other “victories” he experienced last week), he reinforced his arrogance and insensitivity. Refusing to back down, He lauded this inexcusable act, speaking of it as “a moment worth savoring.” I can assure our president there will come a time when he will not savor that moment. The rainbow does not belong to any earthly movement but is a sacred symbol of one of God’s covenants. And the definition he just helped redefine was written by God, not a person. It was not only the church and millions of Americans who were mocked; it was also Almighty God. And I can assure you: He will have the final say.”
I honor the office of president, but this president has been a disgrace to the office as he makes a mockery of Christianity.
It is always a dishonor for the righteous to bow down to the wicked. Daniel refused to submit to King Nebuchadnezzar’s ungodly decree. Moses was hidden for three months by his parents in defiance of the king’s command. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t bow down to the nation’s idol. When threatened by religious leaders Peter and John would not refrain from preaching the gospel. With holy boldness we must follow their example. As these servants of God defied their kings and their unrighteous laws we must do the same.
Moses rebuked Pharaoh. Samuel rebuked King Saul. Elijah rebuked Ahab.
This pattern of confronting kings and corrupt politicians continues in the New Testament.
John the Baptist rebuked King Herod, and it cost him his head. And notice Jesus’ response when the Pharisees warned Him of Herod’s murderous plot.
And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected'” (Luke 13:32).
Jesus’ answer was directed at Herod himself. Not exactly a reverential response to the king. Jesus uses the word ‘fox’ here, which is a cunning person. In calling Herod a fox he reveals to him his true character. He was subtle as a fox, noted for being crafty, cunning, treacherous and base.
In modern vernacular we could say His tone resembled this: “Get out of my face Herod! I’m moving in power today, tomorrow, and the day after. I will lay my life down at Jerusalem where you have no jurisdiction. Get thee behind me!”
The “softer, kinder and gentler approach” is not what Jesus used on Herod. Although Jesus was the kindest and most gentle human being who ever walked the face of the earth, it wasn’t His gentleness and kindness that got Him killed. He was crucified for being bold and confrontational in truth and love. John the Baptist was beheaded for the same. Stephen was stoned for more of the same.
Jesus had no hesitation about speaking truth to political power and confronting kings. Actually, the Pharisees and the Sadducees were the politicians of Jesus’ day. They passed laws and would arrest people for violating those laws. They detained them, put them on trial, flogged them and even persuaded the Romans to put them to death.
Thoroughly unintimidated by their political powers, Jesus rebuked them publicly, directly calling them “a brood of vipers” (Matt. 23:33) and the seed of Satan: “You are of your father the devil” (John 8:44).
Somebody once stated: “God has not called us to be nice. He has called us to be good. Nice people never confront evil and error, but good people do. It is the truth that sets men free, and genuine love will drive us to declare the truth no matter the cost.”
It’s time to put on the whole armor of God, pray, stand and speak the truth.
Romans 13:1-2: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
Many Christians interpret this passage of Scripture to mean that we should blindly submit and obey our government, even if it’s an evil and corrupt government. This is a misconception and a falsehood. Most people fail to consider verse 3, which says, “Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil works. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from him.” Clearly, God is speaking about good government in Romans 13. It is only good government that is a terror to evil works, such as murder, violence, gross immorality, sexual deviancy and other criminal acts. This president is a terror to good works and an advocate and activist of evil works. Here is what Rev. Franklin Graham said about him and our nation a few weeks ago before the SCOTUS decision to legalize gay marriage:
“President Barack Obama was right about one thing in the speech he gave at a gay pride event he hosted in the White House. He said, ‘There has been an incredible shift in attitudes across the country.’ That’s true—but it is definitely not a shift for the good of America. The shift in attitudes he refers to is the moral decline we are seeing manifest daily around us. Accepting wrong as right—accepting sin as something to be proud of. Yes, that’s definitely a shift. Should we be surprised that he thanked the LGBT community for all that they had helped him accomplish during his time as president? He said, ‘A lot of what we’ve accomplished over these last 6 1/2 years has been because of you.’ He also noted there were two states where gay marriage was legal when he took office, but now there are 37. The President is leading this nation on a sinful course, and God will judge him and us as a nation if we don’t repent.”
And shortly thereafter the dippy, daffy Supreme Court made the disastrous decision to legalize gay marriage in every state.
We must not be silent, church, and we must not be passive. Pastors, I hope you are not among the 90 percent of pastors across this country who are choosing to remain silent and not speak on critical issues and biblical principles in such an urgent time when your people need to hear it (“Odds Are That Your Pastor Is Keeping The Truth From You Instead Of Preaching It“). If you are, please change and get some fire in your belly. Surely God has anointed us to rise up and speak up as one unified voice in this hour and resist all evil. Even Russia’s leader Putin, and most recently Kenya’s president, are rebuking Obama and telling him to keep his sewage in America. What a travesty! Never I have been more ashamed of an American president than this one.
As my friend and cultural commentator Larry Tomczak says, “We are facing a “Dietrich Bonhoeffer Moment.” You recall that he chose civil disobedience and disobeyed Nazi law that stated that protecting Jewish people was against the law. He was hung for his stand. He also said prior to his death, “Silence in the face of evil is evil itself. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
This nation has a history of civil disobedience and throwing off tyranny and revolting against abusive government and laws. From the early revolution to anti-slavery to civil rights we are not strangers to lawbreaking (“The Coming Era of Civil Disobedience“).
God has a divine response to every form of evil. Fire in our pulpits can do much in igniting the church and potentially the nation. I propose that first, pastors, should lead their churches in godly repentance, for judgment must begin in the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17). “Let us cleanse ourselves” (2 Cor. 7:1). It has been because of a weak, carnal and idolatrous church that the way has been paved for the mess we are now in, but repentance, conviction and courage can turn the tide.
Perversion fills our land (“A Queer Thing Happened“). Confusion fills our land (“A Portrait of America’s Confusion“). And those who speak out against it are persecuted for it. As for me, I will take it. All for my Lord Jesus.
Bert M. Farias, revivalist and founder of Holy Fire Ministries, is the author of several books including The Real Spirit of Revival and the newly released My Son, My Son—a beautiful father-son memoir co-written with his son Daniel for the purpose of training up a holy generation. He ministers inter-denominationally and cross-culturally in nations, churches, conferences, crusades, on the streets, and in homes. He and his wife also host The Holy Ghost Forum—a school of the Spirit. Follow him at Bert Farias and Holy Fire Ministries on Facebook or @Bertfarias1 on Twitter.
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