Last week, a young pastor asked me if he should address the upcoming election during a sermon. He explained his dilemma:
“Over the years, I’ve tried to stay clear of anything political, but some of my leaders are pressuring me to speak out on the spiritual issues connected to this election.”
He is not alone in his concern. Many church leaders today hesitate to address anything political for fear of alienating some within their church, as well as those who may be seeking Christ. I proposed a hypothetical situation to him:
“Let’s suppose one of the political candidates pledged that, if elected, they would execute all male babies two years of age and younger, as King Herod did 2000 years ago. Would you speak out then? Would you get involved?”
The answer is obvious. There comes a time when Christian leaders have a moral obligation to speak up—especially to protect the innocent and declare God’s will.
I reminded the young preacher that the Old Testament prophets never hesitated to speak to kings and those in authority. King Ahab called Elijah his “enemy.” In the New Testament, John the Baptist courageously confronted the evil in King Herod’s life. Publicly condemning Herod’s sin of living with his brother’s wife cost John his life.
My home library has a two-volume set titled Political Sermons of America’s Founding Era. It includes numerous messages about the biblical foundation for revolution and other political issues, covering 1740 through the early 1800s. In those days, American pulpits thundered with the truth of God’s Word, demanding righteous policies from the nation’s leaders. More recently, during the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached with unwavering courage against the evils of racism and discrimination.
To suggest that the pulpit isn’t a place for politics is to ignore both America’s history and the biblical responsibility of spiritual leaders. Jesus should be Lord over every part of our lives, not just the church. He is Lord of the family, of speech, of entertainment, of finances—and yes, even how we vote.
In 1 Chronicles 12:32, the men of Issachar are commended for understanding the times and knowing what Israel should do. Likewise, today’s spiritual leaders must recognize that we are living in a pivotal moment in our nation’s history.
Seven Biblical Issues at Stake in the Election
Recently, I watched a powerful sermon by Pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel, located in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. I wholeheartedly agree with his assertions and encourage everyone to watch the entire sermon at the end of this post or on YouTube.
Pastor Hamrick highlighted the church’s historical role in addressing political issues and challenged the modern misconception of “separation of church and state.” He emphasized that this phrase has been misused to silence pastors and remove God from public life.
He further stressed the importance of voting for candidates based on their policies, not their personalities. He rightly observed that both presidential candidates are flawed, with neither fully embracing a pro-life stance. He then reminded the congregation that God often used flawed people to fulfill His purposes, stressing that Christians are still obligated to participate and choose a candidate based on who is most likely to lead the nation in alignment with biblical values rather than party lines or personal preferences. He asserted that voting is not just a right but a duty for Christians and that political engagement is one way to be salt and light in the world.
Pastor Hamrick also reminded the congregation that while no government can save America’s soul, Christians are called to be ambassadors of Christ, standing for righteousness and praying for revival in the nation. He provided a list of seven key biblical issues at stake in the upcoming election—issues that God addressed long before they became political. Since pastors are commissioned to proclaim the whole counsel of God, both in season and out of season, it is disobedient and cowardly to remain silent.
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- The Appointment of Judges
Isaiah 1:26 says, “I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward, you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Good judges bring justice and righteousness to the land. The next President will appoint hundreds of federal judges, appeals court judges, and possibly even a Supreme Court Justice. The appointment of these judges will have a lasting impact on the nation, and Christians should consider which candidate will appoint judges that uphold righteousness. - Border Security
Romans 12:13 urges us to “practice hospitality.” My wife is an excellent example of this command. Our home doubles as a hotel and restaurant. But there are limitations. We can’t bring in 50 guests at once! Likewise, Zechariah 7:10 instructs God’s people to care for the alien, but not at the expense of the nation’s safety. Boundaries are biblical. Acts 17:26 reminds us that God has set boundaries for people and nations. There is a right and legal way to welcome the foreigner. Christians should vote for candidates who will ensure our national security. - Israel
Genesis 12:3 declares that God will bless those who bless the descendants of Abraham. While we should not blindly support every policy of Israel, we must remain allies. Christians should consider candidates who understand the biblical importance of supporting Israel and won’t cozy up to Israel’s enemies. - Religious Liberty
Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Who will defend America’s doctors when they refuse to perform abortions based on religious convictions? Who will protect bakers or decorators who cannot, in good conscience, contribute to a same-sex wedding? Which leader will stand for the rights of individuals who refuse vaccinations on religious grounds? Christians should vote for candidates who will protect religious freedom. - Biological Sex
Genesis 1:27 states, “God created them, male and female.” Christians must support candidates who uphold biblical principles regarding biological sex and resist the cultural push to endorse gender fluidity. - The Sanctity of the Family
Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord.” God entrusted parents—not the state—with the responsibility of raising children. Yet, parental rights are being systematically stripped away. The Governor of Minnesota recently signed legislation that allows 12-year-olds to undergo gender transition surgery without parental consent. Parental rights and the traditional family structure are under attack, and Christians should vote for candidates who will protect the biblical family model. - Life
Unfortunately, neither presidential candidate is truly pro-life. One candidate advocates for the killing of babies up to 15 weeks, though 95% of abortions occur in the first 15 weeks. The other candidate supports abortion without restrictions, including up until the moment of birth. God is the author of life, and He abhors the shedding of innocent blood. Protecting the unborn is a critical biblical value. While both presidential candidates are wrong in their positions, Christians must consider the importance of voting for the more pro-life candidate.
- The Appointment of Judges
My Final Thoughts
Should pastors speak up about these issues, even if it risks angering some and alienating others? Adrian Rogers, the late pastor, once said:
“It is better to be divided by truth than united in error. It is better to speak the truth that hurts and then heals than falsehood that comforts and then kills. It is better to be hated for telling the truth than loved for telling a lie. It is better to stand alone with the truth than to be wrong with the multitude.”
The Apostle Paul gave this charge to pastors:
“…Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them teachers who will say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
Pastors, we must remember our ultimate allegiance is to God, not to popularity or public approval. We stand on the shoulders of great champions of the faith—Spurgeon, Lewis, Luther, Knox, Edwards, Wilberforce, Bonhoeffer, and Schaeffer—who boldly confronted sin, some at the cost of their lives. In the face of moral crisis our silence is not an option.
