The Believer’s Dilemma
by Marty Smith
For decades I have avoided political discussions as a follower of Christ, believing they distract from
the gospel and the mission God has for us. Historically, the differences between
political parties seemed relatively minor from a biblical perspective, making this path fairly easy to
follow. The one exception, of course, would be the issue of abortion after the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973. But things took a drastic turn leading up to the 2020 election when many of the country’s
leaders moved largely toward far-left policies. This shift made it impossible for me to avoid
taking a stand against government positions that clearly contradict God’s Word.
During this period, though, it was astonishing to me that several of my Christian friends ignored
these obvious developments. Worse, they appeared to be swayed by dangerous leftist narratives
that conflicted with Scripture. Their disdain for Donald Trump and his behavior seemed to give way
to the support of left-leaning philosophy despite the clear contradiction with biblical teaching.
As the 2020 election approached, I heard numerous charges against Trump including immorality,
dishonesty, narcissism and divisiveness from several pastors and church leaders. It would be
difficult to disagree. Later, there was a palpable sense of relief when Joe Biden was elected. Many
adopted an ‘anyone but Trump’ perspective or believed Biden was a man of faith, high character
and sound principles. But an honest review of Joe Biden’s history would show otherwise.¹
From a biblical perspective, both men seemed to be on a path of destruction as John Piper pointed
out at the time.² Wayne Grudem, in his pre-election article³, argued that a Christian's choice
should be based more on an individual's policies and their alignment with biblical principles rather
than personal character. And if character was to be the singular measure, it would be an arduous challenge to judge one of these men as the clear winner.
Some Christians treated the election decision in a cavalier fashion, as if their vote didn’t really
matter because God would control the outcome. God is certainly sovereign over all things
including elections. But I don’t believe this absolves us of responsibility. Christians should
recognize the weight of their votes that in turn influence policies and outcomes. It seems only
reasonable that we would be accountable for the decisions we make and the leaders we support.
Almost four years later, the initial celebration of Biden's election and Trump's departure by left-leaning Christians has presented an interesting dynamic. With a new election approaching and
Biden not running for re-election, the policies of the past three and a half years are likely to persist
and worsen without a change in direction and leadership. Will they double-down on their support?
Or will they do what they said they will never do: vote for Donald Trump?
I wonder if these Christians are proud of the leadership they supported. What honesty,
transparency, and character would they celebrate? Which policies and actions would they defend
as biblically aligned? What unifying leadership would they contend has helped reduce the division
and polarization in our country? What influence and laws have they pursued to protect and benefit
the population, particularly the millions of vulnerable children in this country?
The moral decline often portrayed as progressive and compassionate by the world, is deeply
troubling to mature followers of Christ. Under the guise of "awakening" to a supposed truth, many
have been led astray from the gospel and biblical truth. Consequently, some churches have
become more focused on social justice, sexism, economic philosophies, and LGBTQ acceptance, believing that these activities reflect love and compassion. But a close examination of
left-leaning leaders and their platforms prior to the last election made it clear that love and
compassion was never the objective. Satan is very clever in disguising his purposes.
So, what have we actually experienced under the Biden administration that many professing
believers so willingly supported? Let’s take stock of recently accelerated trends:
• Destruction of the Family—The nuclear family has been under attack like never before.
Organizations such as Black Lives Matter (BLM), scores of school districts and LGBTQ related
groups have actively worked for the destruction of biblical definitions of male and female as well as
the institution of marriage—all of which have been supported directly or indirectly by the radical
left and our current government. One recent example is a bill signed into law by Governor Newsom
in California that forbids school district teachers and leaders from notifying parents regarding
children who want to identify as a different gender.
• Destruction of Biblical Influence—The front line of the anti-God agenda in the West is being
waged through a number of LGBTQ movements fully supported by the Biden administration. The
movement to secularize society is being driven by overturning cultural and biblical norms
concerning faith-based ideology, gender, sexuality and marriage. Christianity is increasingly being
viewed as conflicting with healthy public policy. Same-sex recognition is being pushed by every
corner of the government, military and public agencies. And the astounding part of this story is that
many professing Christians are buying into the movement in certain ways. Some Christian leaders
are now recognizing the identity of same-sex attracted individuals as if to say this sin pattern is
immutable and part of a person’s identity. But our identity as Christians is in Christ alone along
with the power to change, regardless of our sinful tendencies.
• Binary Gender to Gender Fluidity—Traditional, biblically defined gender roles are being replaced
with fluid concepts of gender. Options of all kinds are being recognized. Much worse is that
leaders within the Biden administration, e.g. Dr. Rachel Levine, are pushing zero age limits for
children to decide their gender, along with any surgical or other transitional treatments they may
want to pursue. These children cannot drink alcohol, drive a car, vote or carry a weapon, but these
leaders say they should be able to make irreversible decisions about their gender as a minor.
• Redefinition of Marriage—God created one man and one woman for holy matrimony which is
foundational to societal stability and moral order. However, same-sex marriages have now been
codified as the law of the land in this country. More drifting into the abyss is coming. There is
already pressure to normalize perversions such as adult-child sexual relationships along with a
variety of newly identified genders. Almost any imaginable union will easily become law under a
leftist government. Left unchecked pedophilia, for example, will not only become acceptable, but it
will be celebrated as the newest form of love and marriage. Child porn will no longer be illegal.
• Biblical Justice to Critical Race Theory (CRT) —The biblical structure of justice is being
supplanted by CRT that pushes systemic oppression and racial categorization. Scripture teaches
that our identity is found in Christ, not in our skin color or ethnicity. We are united under the gospel
as one body in Christ, transcending all racial and ethnic divisions. But under CRT ideology, a
person’s identity is viewed through the lens of skin color and victimization that in turn promotes
division, resentment, and in reality—racism. Amazingly, some Christian leaders have voiced
support for this largely Marxist based ideology. In truth, this belief system must be rejected to
“uphold the biblical principle that we are all equal before God, striving for true justice and
reconciliation through the Gospel’s transformative power.” (Dr. Joseph Mattera)
• Killing the Unborn, Including Late Term Abortions—While liberals argue that this is untrue, data
shows that 10,000 babies’ lives are lost every year through late term abortions. 66 million total
unborn have been taken and counting. This has long been supported prior to the current
administration, and it will continue to drive the liberal agenda despite the fact that God created and
knows each and every little one within the womb. (Jeremiah 1:5) The Biden administration
outwardly supports complete and full “freedom for a woman to choose.” How are we not complicit
in this evil when voting for left-leaning leaders?
• Indoctrination of Children through Community Events and Education—The most egregious
and Godless influences from the radical left led by this administration is the methodical
indoctrination of children toward sinful beliefs and actions. Special emphasis has been placed on
events that condition children to see transgenderism, same-sex attraction and underage sexual
experiences as good and fulfilling. But instead, it is the path to spiritual destruction. Events and
celebrations such as Pride Month, Transgender Day of Visibility, National Coming Out Day, LGBTQ
History Month, Transgender Awareness Week, and drag queen story events are being propagated
across the nation to help reshape young minds against the Word of God and toward sinful
perversions. Many and most of these are supported and funded by Democratic leaders. CRT
related themes are being taught in school districts and colleges across the country that work to
destroy meritocracy and elevate victimocracy.
Matthew 18:6 …but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be
better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of
the sea.
Even sinful teachings such as racism and murderous terror have been defended as just and
appropriate when it comes to certain people groups—in the most recent case, the Jewish
community. All of it is supported by numerous leaders within the Democratic Party, and by default,
Christians who vote for these individuals support this movement as well.
God’s Word teaches us to be alert to worldly philosophies masquerading as truth. We are called to
expose them and the sin that follows. Paul says in Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and
not after Christ.”
Satan is a master at making certain of these perspectives appear to be compassionate and just. As
such, it is all the more vital that Christian leaders be willing to clearly and unapologetically call out
sinfulness. Without bold, spiritual leadership, many more will be led into destruction.
All said despite these truths, without God’s direct intervention it seems likely that these liberal
candidates will amazingly win again in November. Even more amazing is that many professing
Christians will vote to support them. Whatever the outcome, though, God’s purposes will play out
exactly as He has planned. But as part of this heavenly process, my prayer is that every believer will
avoid human reasoning or emotion and wholly submit to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Come Lord Jesus!
¹Joe Biden’s Character Problem – WSJ – The Wall Street Journal ; Washington Post Fact-Checker
Gives Up on Recording Biden’s Lies – Yahoo ; John MacArthur on Biden, Trump, Immorality and the
Church, The Christian Post; Anti-Christian bias in the Biden White House
²”I will not develop some calculus to determine which path of destruction I will support” John Piper
on the 2020 presidential election
³Letter to an Anti-Trump Christian Friend – Townhall, by Wayne Grudem; A response to my friend
John Piper about voting for Trump; Pastor John Piper and the 2020 elections: A respectful
response; by Michael Brown, The Christian Post
