Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
Peter writes, “who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened” (1 Peter 3:13-14). Jesus Himself said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be Troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Yet how easily our hearts become troubled. We become caught up in the world, in America, in the Republican party, and the Democrat party. We grow irritated over policies and actions we strongly disagree with, and before long we find ourselves bickering, our hearts stirred by frustration and fear. One of the hardest things for me to watch is this very behavior among people who call themselves Christians. We are supposed to be brothers and sisters in Christ, yet so often I see division, name calling, and gossip.
I believe one of the things Christians especially those of us involved in politics need to do right now is examine ourselves before we point our fingers at everyone else. Scripture tells us that the fruit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). We should ask ourselves: Am I displaying these fruits in the way I speak? In the way I post online? In the way I respond to those who disagree with me? If people saw only my words and actions, would they recognize Christ in me? Before we focus on changing the culture around us, we must first allow God to continues changing our own hearts.
Yes, We can and should disagree. As christian, we are called to speak the truth and call out sin when we see it. But scripture never gives us permission to do so with harshness, slander or cruelty. We are to speak the truth with kindness and love. When outsiders whether they belong to another political party or claim no faith at all look at us, they should be able to say, I may disagree with them, but they are good and kind people.” That is the reputation we are called to have, not only within our own circles but as followers of Jesus first.
What grieves me the most is the gossip and trash talking that happens behind people’s backs. Instead of going to someone privately and saying, “I disagree with what you are doing or saying. Can we sit down and talk about it?” Many choose to tear one another down from a distance. I have seen people try to undermine others simply because of disagreement, without first seeking understanding through honest conversation. It is heartbreaking to watch people who claim the name of Christ engage in yelling, name calling, and slander based only on what they see in the media, without knowing the full story of someone’s life.
Before we are Republicans or Democrats, if we belong to Jesus Christ, we are children of God. We forget that to easily. We forget that every one of us believers and unbelievers alike will answer to God. Leaders especially will be held to a stricter account. When we call ourselves Christians yet engage in name calling backstabbing, gossip, and slander, we dishonor the very name we claim.
I do get irritated with those who reject biblical truth. I disagree with abortion. I believe there is only one God. I believe marriage is between one man and one woman, as God designed it. These are not optional opinions for me; they are convictions rooted in Scripture. We must remain firm in what the Bible teaches.
But standing firm in truth should never cause us to abandon the character of Christ. We are commanded to be gentle, kind, humble, and full of grace. Calling out sin in a harsh, self righteous way often drives people further from God. calling it out with grace plants a seed. You may never see the fruit yourself, but others believers may water that seed later, and in time God can change a heart.
One struggle I have noticed is the refusal to pray for political opponents or for people we simply dislike. Some say they will not pray for certain leaders because they do not want them succeed. Jesus addressed this directly: “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44). We are called to pray for those we oppose, asking God to soften their hearts and redirect their paths. To refuse is to resist the very heart of Christ.
Romans 13:1 reminds us that “there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Whether we like people in office or not, God has allowed them to hold those positions for purposes. We may and should speak against policies that contradict God’s world, but we must also pray for those who hold these offices. Even if they embrace views far from biblical truth, We should pray that God will change their hearts.
In the midst of all your chaos political, cultural, even within the church we grow weary because we have become too invested in this temporary world. We forget that we are citizens of heaven first and citizens of America second. As Paul reminds us, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). When we lose sight of that truth, politics can begin to consume our hearts, and we start placing our hope in earthly kingdoms instead of God’s eternal Kingdom.
The truth is much simpler and far more freeing. When we die, none of this will matter to us anymore. This world is not our home; we are only passing through. While we are here, we should steward what God has entrusted to us wisely, but we must never forget that our true home and our greatest treasure are found in eternity with Jesus.
Our primary purpose on earth is to glorify and worship God. Psalm 100:2-3 calls us to “worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”
Jesus summarized the entire Law this way: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
WE are “Gods handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). WE are to “let [our] light shine before others, that they may see [our] good deeds and glorify [our] Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). WE are sent to “go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-29). Ecclesiastes 12:13 summarizes it well: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
Jesus said we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In a culture that is decaying, salt preserves, and light expose darkness. We are not called to withdraw in fear or to fight with the world’s weapons of anger and slander. We are called to step into the culture with truth spoken in love, with conduct that cannot easily be dismissed, and with hearts that remain at peace because they are fixed on Christ.
Peter continues:
“In your hearts Revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:15-17).
In the middle of political turmoil, church conflict, and cultural confusion, let us guard our hearts. We may attack ideas, but we must never attack people with cruelty. Let us examine ourselves before we examine everyone else. Let us ask whether the fruit of the spirit is evident in our lives. Let us remain humble. Let us refuse to live in fear.
Above all, let us remember that we are children of God first. May that identity shape every conversation, every disagreement, every prayer, and every action.