12 Reasons Christians Should not be Involved in Politics

Here are the compelling reasons why you and I, as Christians should not be involved in politics and what we should do instead.

Every election season, it seems that Christians have one of the loudest voices. At least that’s the case in most democratic countries. 

However, did you know that the Bible actually teaches that Christians should not be involved in politics? You might be surprised, but that’s something most Christians don’t believe today. Although many Christians get involved in politics, that doesn’t make it right.

I know it can be difficult to believe. That’s why in this post, I have gathered 12 of the most important reasons Christians shouldn’t be part of any politics.

12 Reasons Christians Should not be Involved in Politics

Reason no. 1: Our citizenship is in heaven

We read in Philippians 3:20:

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

As you can see, we are not citizens of the United States, Philippines, Australia, China, Japan, or any other countries.

It says we are citizens of heaven!

If our citizenship is in heaven, then we must be more focused on the agenda of heaven rather than the agenda of this world.

Aside from that, we are called ambassadors for Christ. We read in 2 Corinthians 5:20:

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 

An ambassador is someone sent from a sovereign country to another country as a representative. In this case, we are a representative of God’s kingdom.

Ambassadors don’t meddle with the politics of the country where they are sent. They don’t actively endorse any candidate. They don’t even vote!

As ambassadors for Christ, we work as a representative and not a citizen of the country we are sent to.

The Messiah didn’t say He will change the government. Instead, He said he will replace the government!

Reason no. 2: This world’s politics is corrupt

It won’t take long for you to notice that the political system of this world is corrupt. If you look deeper, at times, it’s even against biblical principles.

There’s a reason they call it, “dirty politics.” You can’t get into politics without actually getting your hands dirty.

After all, we read in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that the god of this age is Satan:

4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 

Not only that but this world is deceived:

9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Revelation 12:9).

Reason no. 3: We are not of the world

We read in 1 John 2:15-17:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 

Let’s remember that we are in the world but we are not OF the world

Yahshua the Messiah or Jesus Christ added:

14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world (John 17:14-16). 

We must not engage in this world’s corrupt political system.

You can’t get involved with politics without getting your hands dirty.

Reason no. 4: Politics are passing away

The government of this world is doomed to fail. It will ultimately crumble down. If you’re going to put your trust in any of these politicians, sorry to say, but you will just be disappointed.

Whichever candidate you choose, you know these people can’t save you. You know they can’t remove the evils of this world. You know that they are only humans plagued with their own weaknesses and frailties.

Let’s read 1 John 2:15-17 once again:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

This world’s failing government will eventually be replaced by the perfect government of God.

We read the prophecy in Daniel:

44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall NEVER be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44).

This world is passing away together with its government. Shouldn’t we be more focused on the eternal government of God?

Reason no. 5: Politics divides us

I personally know of some people who have been divided by the election season. Some people were unfriended and even blocked on Facebook. 

Some who are brothers and sisters, who are blood-related, have become enemies just because of fighting for politicians who DON’T even know them.

Such a tragedy that we could have easily avoided if we had remained neutral and apolitical. 

Because people have heavily invested in their politicians, socially, mentally, financially, and emotionally, they have a hard time accepting the results, which leads to further division and delayed reconciliation.

Reason no. 6: Politics isn’t the best way to show your love to others

One argument people use to justify their involvement in politics is to show love to others.

However, we must honestly ask ourselves:

Is getting involved in politics really the best way to show love?

I would say no. Because of politics, a lot of people became enemies. They attack each other verbally with insults and demeaning words.

Even Christians forget to “love one another” in the name of their political candidate!

We often hear people quoting Edmund Burke, “All that is needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”

However, in wanting to do good, we are actually causing more harm. Instead of becoming a light to this world, we become instruments in the hands of Satan to divide and disunite people.

Reason no. 7: There are better ways to love one another

In truth, all of us have the power to make a positive change without getting involved in politics. We can be active in helping our community. We don’t need to get the approval of people just to show love, kindness, justice, and mercy.

When I say Christians should not get involved in politics, it doesn’t mean you don’t do anything. It doesn’t mean you become apathetic.

You can do the best thing you can do in promoting social justice, alleviating poverty, and supporting peace in your own special way.

Reason no. 8: There’s no worthy candidate

If ever you vote, how can you know which one God would endorse? 

Or, better yet, we ask, is there anyone God would endorse? 

Are you wiser than God to tell Him who the right candidate is?

These are some questions we must seriously ponder upon.

There’s actually no candidate more worthy than Jesus Christ.

Thankfully, the Messiah will not be elected to power by a majority vote. He will be appointed King by His Father and will establish God’s Kingdom here on earth by force!

Reason no. 9: Christ wasn’t involved in politics

When Yahshua was here on earth, he didn’t run for any political position. He didn’t even seek to become a ruler or king. 

Christ didn’t try to overthrow the Roman government. Obviously, He knew how corrupt the people who were in power were. He was aware of the social injustice it caused. Yet, Christ didn’t try to start a global campaign of changing the world’s government.

Instead, when Jesus felt that people were trying to make Him king, we escaped from them:

15 “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone” (John 6:15). 

The time will come with Yahshua will finally return here on earth and establish God’s kingdom. That’s the time when He will intervene and finally make the positive global change we are all waiting for!

Reason no. 10: The majority is not always right

Democratic government thrives on thinking that the majority is always right. That’s the essence of voting. Those who are in the majority will win.

However, we see in the Bible that although the majority wins, they are not always right. In fact, if you look around us, the majority of people are deceived. 

They don’t know the truth found in the Bible. They don’t know why they are here. They don’t know where they are going. They don’t have a deeper knowledge and relationship with God.

Did you remember how Christ was crucified? The majority of people called for his death. They won but that didn’t make it right.

When you vote and partake in this world of politics, you might eventually find yourself on the wrong side of history.

Reason no. 11: God is sovereign

God has the power to raise good leaders to bless His people.

He can also choose to raise bad leaders to teach people good lessons.

God is perfectly always in control. He is and will always be on His Throne.

He knows what’s happening on the earth. That’s why you don’t have to worry about whoever will be elected because, at the end of the day, God will take care of His people.

I have a few passages that I want to read quickly to prove God’s sovereignty:

Romans 13:1

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” 

Daniel 2:21

“And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

Daniel 4:17

“. . . the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.”

Daniel 5:21

“Then he [Nebuchadnezzar] was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.”

Psalm 75:6-7

“For not from the east nor from the west nor from the south come promotion and lifting up. But God is the Judge! He puts down one and lifts up another” (The Amplified Bible).

Jeremiah 27:5

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me.”

From these passages, God tells us that He is in control. He is still on the Throne. He didn’t sleep before, during, and after an election. 

Whatever happens, God can use people, things, situations, problems, and good things to fulfill His purpose. 

Whoever is the president or leader of our country, God’s purpose will still reign. 

Whoever is the leader, Yahweh is still God and no election can change that.

Reason no. 12: We must focus on God’s work

One big problem for us getting involved in politics is that we lost our focus on God’s work. The energy, time, and resources we use to support a candidate are the same energy, time, and resources we could have used to do God’s work.

The problem is that some people, even in the church, are more zealous in promoting their candidates than promoting the coming Kingdom of God!

Did you notice that? Some people are willing to forsake Yahshua’s command to love your neighbor in the name of politics. In fact, some Christians are so involved in politics that you don’t see the difference between Christians and non-Christians anymore.

You see, politics is a distraction. It is never our job to put candidates in position. It is never our job to join rallies and convince people to vote for them. Most importantly, it is never our job to join anti-government or rebel groups to oust leaders from their position. 

No, our job is to proclaim the coming kingdom of God.

We read in 1 Corinthians 9:16:

16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

Yes, brethren, woe to you, woe to me, if we are so active in politics and forget about the Gospel.

Would you still get involved in politics?

I hope this message gave us a timely reminder about what our attitude should be when it comes to politics. May these 12 reasons help us to not get involved in politics but instead recognize the sovereignty of Yahweh and focus on His work.

Most importantly, let’s pray for our leaders, and ultimately, let’s pray, “Thy Kingdom come (Matthew 6:10)!”

7 thoughts on “12 Reasons Christians Should not be Involved in Politics

  1. Very nicely done. I have been wrestling with this topic for the last several years in my own conscience, and many of the arguments you make here resonate with my own thinking. Surprisingly to me, however, the central one that I find myself returning to most often goes unmentioned here. If it’s not too bold, I thought I might outline it briefly, and you can post or e-mail your response to me, if you are so inclined.

    Government, however well-meaning, cannot function without a means of enforcing the dictates it imposes upon the people, however many or few they may be. This is the function, in civilized countries, of a police force, whether at a local, regional, or national level.

    Even in a completely moral society, with a government wisely and compassionately limiting its involvement to issues accurately reflecting the will of God, unless the citizenry have all decided to follow that one, true God, and do so perfectly, there will be crime.

    And that’s the best-case scenario. Imagine if a government, fully reformed to be in compliance with the laws of heaven, and armed with both holy power and machine guns, had to bring, say, Chicago, into compliance. Imagine all the policemen trying to “Love their neighbor as themselves”, while simultaneously engaged in a running gun battle with them.

    In any event, whenever someone refuses to comply, the government’s enforcement arm kicks in, and so people will be “forced” to live a “Godly” life, which is neither Godly, nor, I would argue, within the scope of God’s intent.

    Yet, any “less holy” candidate, or governmental system of laws and procedures, means Christians supporting UN-holy policies at the point of a gun.

    Worst case, we throw our emotional investment into, and endorse in Jesus’ name, corrupt and sinful people, policies and systems that victimize other citizens, including Christians, sully Jesus’ name and hang a millstone around our own necks. And all we have to do to be guilty of this is to not see all the implications, ramifications and moving parts behind every single candidate and party we support.

    Best case: We create a false utopia by removing the free will, which God gave to mankind for a reason and the removal of which is, of course, pure fantasy, and sort of misses the point of us all being here in the first place. And we do it “by the sword”.

    Seems like Jesus could have pretty easily accomplished that when He was here the first time, if that was His intent.

    Anyway, that’s why, for the first time in my life, this election, I’m considering abstaining from the voting process, as well as seriously considering eliminating the bevy of political podcasts to which I subscribe from my life.

    I’d be interested to know, when you have the time, of course, if there is some glaring hole you may find in my point, or if its absence in your “12 reasons” was just because “13” is a less-auspicious number. 😉

    • Hi Tom,

      I haven’t thought of that before. Thanks for sharing. I believe that’s one problem with having human government ruling here on earth.

      No matter how this world is run, it will still fall short of the perfect Kingdom of God. Thus, we must always pray for His Son to return here on earth ASAP.

      We can only do so much as humans. We need the divine intervention of Yahweh to establish His perfect Kingdom. 🙂

  2. Tom,
    In Mark chapter 13:34-37, we are told that the master assigned certain jobs for each of us and He also assigned a “door keeper” to watch. We are told to watch three times in this passage. (What are we watching for?)
    In Ezekiel 33:6 – We are told that we are the “watchman” and that if we fail to warn the people and they die their blood will be require at the watchman’s hand. Now in the USA the Church already got involved in politics by creating a nation that protected God-given rights. Starting about 400 years ago the Church created one of the first political institutions. Read the Mayflower Compact. Much of our government and 250 years later the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were created with the same thinking as this first compact.
    Since this founding we have suffered very little persecution in this nation because of our adherence to these “organic laws.”
    Your 12 reasons are 12 excuses not to get involved (I don’t think any of the 12 are accurately applied or understood) and through this door the Church is leaving unguarded Satan, and his minions spouting his philosophy will come.

    • Richard,

      They aren’t my 12 reasons. I’m just a commenter here, like you. However, I think that there are several issues with your critique:

      1) Mark 13:34-37 is a parable. It refers to your heart as your “house”. There are numerous other parables like this, including the bridegroom coming for the bride, and the thief coming in the night. You are watching over YOUR heart, that you may not sin, and will keep yourself pure, and your house in order, for when the Master/Bridegroom comes. This is NOT about you watching over the hearts of others. You look on the outward appearance of others, only God looks upon the heart.

      2) In Ezekial 33:6, you have to make one of two choices as to how you are interpreting it.

      Either, you are looking at the LITERAL translation, in which case it is important to look to verse 1, where the Lord specifically said for Ezekial to “say to YOUR people”. Taken literally, it does not apply to anyone alive today.

      OR you take it metaphorically, and read it as a timeless message to ALL people, about how God considers you your brother’s keeper, spiritually. If we take it THAT way, then what it is saying, is that, when a spiritual danger is threatening your nation’s spiritual life, you owe it to them to warn them of this.

      Having done that, however, it is NOT your job to run around all of “Israel”, FORCING everyone to heed the warning. Rather, once you’ve sounded the warning, ignoring it is on THEIR heads. At that point, we can cross-reference with the New Testament, and see Jesus’ command to “shake the dust from our sandals” as we leave their home, for their judgement shall be upon them.

      So, too, here: It is NOT your job to pass laws and force people to live in whatever way YOU decide is “moral”. Your Lord’s kingdom is not OF this world, He set things up here the way He wants them, free will is part of the plan. If that were all He had wanted, absolute obedience from the kingdoms of this world, He could have had it when Satan offered it to Him in the desert. Shoot, He could have had it before He ever said “Let there be Light”.

      And, it is much more difficult to know you are right, to know you could have saved them, and walk away when they refuse.

      I’ll leave you with Matthew 23:37. Ask yourself: If anyone could have, couldn’t He? So, then, why didn’t He?

    • I totally agree. 12 reasons is nothing more than a veiled attempt by a woke infected person to somehow sway Christians to become deciples of that
      Demon possessed thinking! So we shouldn’t
      have a voice in who teaches our children and what is taught. Schools are teaching transgender and misandry in the class room.
      I think God wants us Christians to do what ever it takes to protect the little ones. Apathy in Christians is in itself a sin!

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