The Most Important Election of Our Lifetime, or Is It? The Politics of Fear
We live in a time where being Christian is increasingly conflated with politics. It is not a right or left, conservative or liberal problem. It’s a Christian problem. It’s a problem made worse by spiritual immaturity and a lack of spiritual discernment, and politicians are eager to exploit it, not for the country’s benefit, but rather for their own or their party.
Have you noticed that every election recently has been “the most important of our lifetime” according to the politicians. I just read a political influencer who said democracy is at stake in this election. So, can you guess on which side of the political divide they sit? You may think you know, but, in reality, both sides are saying this. Sadly, many Christians are echoing the same viewpoint, and I will tell you why I think that is sad.
Behind that quote is the desire to create a sense of urgency and desperation; thus, people saying that hope to compel people to get out and vote for a particular candidate or party. Because if they don’t, it will be a DISASTER of epic proportions. I find it sad that many Christians are falling for this because they are full of fear for the future, when in fact one of the most common commands in the Scriptures is “fear not.” The Apostle Paul puts it a little differently,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6 NIV)
The politicians want us to be anxious about everything; the Lord desires us to be anxious about nothing regardless if our prayers are answered to our liking or not. Why? Because if we’re trusting in the Lord, we will be confident that He has everything within His control. Nothing surprises Him or catches Him off guard. Whatever the result of any election, we have no need to fear because the Lord is still in control.
Another point of evidence of spiritual immaturity and lack of discernment is to believe politicians and the governments they lead (or hope to lead) are what is going to be the difference for the immediate future of our country. Many Christians act as though it will be the end of our country if one party or the other loses. If that is where your hope lies, then that is a problem of faith. Our only true hope is in the Lord, so our focus and energies should be toward the work of His Kingdom and its values.
Also, politicians claiming to be people of faith often fail to display the fruit of the faith they profess. Instead, they justify being harsh as normal for politics, lambast their opponents in public, and allow their ad campaigns to look like any other political ads with often provable lies and gross exaggerations. Our hope for our future and that of the nation cannot be placed in them. If it is, I can guarantee we will be disappointed in the end. As the Apostle John said about Jesus, “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” (John 2:24-25 NIV)
If Jesus did not put His trust in any one person or human entity, then wisdom suggests neither should we. So, during this intensifying political season, be a good citizen and vote, but leave the results to the Lord. Don’t be fooled by claims that this is the most important election in history and our future will be determined by who wins. Our history has been in the hands of the Lord, as is our present and our future. Don’t be anxious. He can be trusted regardless of the outcome of this or any other election. And if the result is not to your liking, remember what Jesus told His disciples near the end of His earthly life,
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32)
Until next time . . .
© Jim Musser 2026
