The game of politics is all about perception…the vast majority of which is of a false and fraudulent nature. In order to ascend to high political office one must be perceived as being capable and qualified. A good politician must be smooth and articulate. He must be adept at fostering an image of being competent, intelligent, and savvy in his ability to skillfully maneuver in the corrupt and compromised political arena. Image over substance is the name of the game. The successful politician must know how to pose and posture himself in a manner that meets the expectations and assumptions of the rank and file citizenry. The average American doesn’t want to know the ugly truth. Instead, they desire to be reassured and made comfortable in the feeling that, in the general sense, everything will ultimately be o.k.
This basic political psychology is well understood by those who occupy positions of influence and power. They quickly learn the fine art of “playing the game” and are dutifully rewarded in accordance with the degree to which they serve as an overall asset to the system into which they have become interwoven. It is no coincidence that a majority percentage of those who hold political office come from the background of the legal profession. Lawyers, of course, have a well-earned bad reputation. All too often they engage in the corrupt art of framing mischief by the law. Psalm 94:20 states, “Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?” To do such is central to their job description. Sadly…it is to this ilk of individual that our nation has entrusted great responsibility for her future.
It is significant that the very characteristics that qualify an individual to hold modern political office are utterly anathema to the God of scripture. The modern political type is quick to deceive, distort, and mischaracterize. God’s word, on the other hand, places the greatest value and importance on the advancement and preservation of truth. The contemporary politician lives in fear of being offensive and dreads the prospect of being construed as radical or extreme. Scripture, of course, condemns being fearful of man (as stated in Proverbs 29:25: “The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso trusteth in the Lord shall be safe”) and instead, requires that we fear God (as stated in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man”).
In evaluating political contenders, modern society applies an exceedingly warped standard. God’s word has no place in the present day political construct. Instead…men routinely abide by an utterly bankrupt, sold out, and worldly philosophy…all the while convincing themselves that this mediocre status quo is somehow good and acceptable in the eyes of God. Nothing could be further from the truth, however!
America is a sin-sick nation. We would be hard pressed to find a way to move much further away from the God of our fathers. The Bible verse that most typifies us today is Isaiah 5:20. That passage states: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Indeed, corrupt men practice deception and treachery at every turn…all the while claiming to be noble, good, and decent. Most tragic of all is the fact that even those who profess to serve God have adopted and institutionalized a standard of compromise and mediocrity. (Please read 2 Timothy 3:5-7 and 1 Peter 4:7)
Suffice it to say that in our current time period, the standards of God’s word are considered to be utterly taboo for one who might seek election to political office. Conventional wisdom requires compromise and moderation to be construed as qualified and electable. Ironically…the very thing that God rejects and condemns is what men place a premium on. Of course, America’s only hope lies in being able to incur the favor of Almighty God. For this reason we must begin to demand and advocate for that which is pleasing to the God of scripture. In reality…only that which God sanctions will suffice in the establishment of qualifications for the would-be leadership among the people of our nation.
Let us now set forth a litany of standards and characteristics that, in the eyes of God, qualify a man to stand in leadership:
2 Samuel 23:3 states: “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”
Yes…a truly God-ordained leader or aspirant to political office will be devoted to a genuine form of justice that is entirely predicated on the law/word of God.
Matthew 10:32-33 states: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
Indeed…he who would be legitimate in the view of God must be willing to adamantly and boldly profess the lordship of Jesus Christ as the only hope for the nation.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.”
Another prerequisite for a God-ordained leader is that he must be ready and willing to call the nation to a 2 Chronicles 7:14-based spiritual revival.
Matthew 10:16 instructs us as follows: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
This passage of God’s word makes it plain that we must possess understanding of how Satan and his minions operate in this evil world system. The principle is further underscored by passages such as Hosea 4:6 (“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”), John 8:32 (“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”), and 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”), all of which address the need to be in possession of the broad spectrum of truth.
To summarize…it is profound and alarming to contemplate that the vast majority of those who presently hold political office fail to possess those qualifications required by God and his holy word. Needless to say, it is imperative that we raise up men of God who will not flinch in the discharging of these requirements and responsibilities.
We conclude this article with the text of Psalm 94, a portion of God’s word which is most appropriate and relevant to this discussion.
Psalm 94:1-23
(1) O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
(2) Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
(3) LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
(4) How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
(5) They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
(6) They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
(7) Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
(8) Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
(9) He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
(10) He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
(11) The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
(12) Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
(13) That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
(14) For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
(15) But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
(16) Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
(17) Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
(18) When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
(19) In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
(20) Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
(21) They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
(22) But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
(23) And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.
