Why Christians Should Vote

Brothers and sisters, the time is short and the stakes are high. As we approach another election cycle, some of you have been tempted to stay home. You say politics is messy, the candidates are imperfect, or you just want to preach the gospel and leave the rest alone. I get it. But I am telling you right now that silence and withdrawal are not the biblical path. God has called us to be salt and light, to love our neighbors, and to seek the welfare of the city, state, and nation where He has placed us. That includes the ballot box.

Those who insist Christians should stay out of politics and not vote are pushing a form of Christian separatism and withdrawal from the world. That spirit is not new. It is a type of Gnostic heresy that treats the material world, including government and public life, as inherently evil or irrelevant to the spiritual life. The apostles confronted this error directly in the New Testament. Paul warned against those who say “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch” and promote a self-made religion of withdrawal (Colossians 2:20-23). John wrote against those who denied that Jesus came in the flesh and those who separated the spiritual from the physical (1 John 4:1-3). Jesus Himself prayed not that the Father would take His people out of the world, but that He would keep them from the evil one while they remained in it (John 17:15). The early church fathers, including Irenaeus and Tertullian, fought the same Gnostic tendency to abandon engagement with the created order and public responsibility. Withdrawal sounds spiritual, but it is a false teaching that leaves the battlefield to darkness.

Jesus said His followers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). The purpose of salt is to hold back decay and preserve what is good. If the salt loses its saltiness, Jesus asked, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out. The purpose of light is to pierce the darkness, roll it back, and illuminate the sphere it is in so that people can see. If you hide the light under a basket by withdrawing from the places where decisions are made and laws are shaped, you have rendered yourself useless to Jesus therein. Christians are called to hold back the decay of evil, preserve what is right and true, and push back the darkness in every sphere, including the political one. Voting is one way we do that. When you refuse to vote, you are letting the salt sit in the shaker and the light stay under the bushel while the world continues to rot and darken. Be the salt. Be the light. Vote.

As if that isn't enough to open your eyes to the importance of Christians voting, Frank Turek recently laid out ten biblical reasons Christians cannot ignore politics. I want to walk through those reasons and press them home with Scripture and the reality of the hour. This is not about party loyalty. This is about alignment with truth, protection of the innocent, and preserving the freedom to live and preach the gospel. Choose today.

1. Laws can protect the advance of the gospel or restrict it.

A pastor’s determination to preach does not stop a government from closing the doors of the church or silencing the message. Look at Iran or Saudi Arabia. There is no First Baptist Church of Tehran because the laws do not allow it. Politics affects your ability to preach and live the gospel. If we sit out and let the godless write the rules, we may lose the freedom we have taken for granted. We always fight evil and leave the results to God. Do not surrender your freedoms by negligence.

2. Loving your neighbor includes protecting your neighbor.

Jesus said love your neighbor as yourself. Abortion, education, crime, marriage, and religious liberty all involve real people whose lives are shaped by the laws of the land. By putting laws in place that protect the innocent from evil, we are loving our neighbors. Are you telling me that Christians in the 1800s should have stayed out of politics and left slavery in place? Welcome to politics. You cannot avoid it. If you have the chance to influence laws that protect or harm your neighbor and you do nothing, you have failed the command of Christ.

3. Government can make or break a civilization.

Would you rather live in North Korea or the United States? Iran or America? Government either protects innocent people by punishing wrongdoers or it fails to do so and the damage falls on the people. Genesis 9 and Romans 13 establish the purpose of government: to protect the innocent and restrain evil. When the righteous thrive the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule the people groan (Proverbs 29:2). Jeremiah 29:7 tells us to seek the welfare of the city, state, and nation where God has placed us, for in its welfare we will find our own. Vote for the policies that best restrain evil and promote good.

4. Jesus confronted leaders who neglected justice.

In Matthew 23 Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, the political and religious leaders of His day, for majoring in the minors while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The test for politics is to major in the majors. The right to life is the first right. Protecting children from mutilation and indoctrination is not a minor issue. Jesus did not stay silent when leaders failed to do justice. Neither should we.

5. The prophets and apostles held rulers accountable.

Moses stood before Pharaoh. The prophets rebuked kings. Paul reasoned with Felix about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. They were involved. They did not tiptoe around the truth to keep political leaders comfortable. Truth, not silence, is what saves. Rulers are not beyond the Word of God. When government abandons its God-given role or moorings, the Church must speak.

6. Jesus did not dilute truth to keep a crowd.

In John 6 Jesus delivered hard teaching and many disciples walked away. He did not water down the message. Our job is to preach the truth and leave the results to God. Churches that orient everything around not offending non-believers end up with a building full of non-believers. Stand for the truth even when it costs attendance or approval.

7. Laws teach people what to accept and reject.

Laws shape what a culture considers respectable and just. They affect the plausibility of the gospel. When Christian convictions are branded as bigotry by the law itself, people approach the message with walls already up. We cannot give up on the law. Guard what enters the gates of society through legislation, just as you guard the gates of your own soul.

8. Shared moral convictions can open a door to faith.

Speaking on abortion or justice can attract people who have never darkened the door of a church. Conservative politics, when they align with what is right, good, and true, can be an on-ramp to Christianity rather than an off-ramp as liberal tends to be. Once someone sees that justice has a source, they can be led back to that Source—Jesus Christ.

9. Christian withdrawal leaves others to wield power.

Government continues whether you participate or not. If the godly do not get involved, the godless will. Rights come from God, not from governments. Governments are supposed to protect those rights. Christians have to be engaged. Atheists, Muslims, and socialists are voting. Why not you?

10. The differences between political choices have consequences.

The parties are far apart on abortion, religious liberty, education, immigration, judicial appointments, and gender policies. It matters who you support. You will not find perfect candidates or perfect platforms. But there are better laws and more biblical policies than others. One side has aligned more closely with protecting the unborn, preserving the family, and defending religious freedom. The other has not. Choose accordingly. Even if you do not understand every position, you can see the overall alignment with truth and goodness.

Those points are all true. Furthermore, Romans 13 tells us that governing authorities are God’s servants to punish the wrongdoer and praise the good. In a republic the people help choose those servants. Jeremiah 29:7 calls us to seek the welfare of the city, state, and nation. Proverbs 14:34 says righteousness exalts a nation. Matthew 5 tells Jesus' followers to be salt and light. No passage in Scripture excuse us from the ballot box when we have the opportunity to influence outcomes for good.

This does not mean every political issue is equal or that one party is perfect. But the battle between good and evil has unentered the political arena, and sides have en revealed. One side is aligning closely with Satan and the other side is aligning more closely with God. Many have been deceived into disengaging in the battle on the political front. It is time to wake up, renew your mind to the truth, and align with good. The greatest Truth is Jesus Christ. Surrender more of your life to Him. Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you research candidates, pray, and vote.

Pray for the election. Pray for electoral integrity. Pray that the schemes of darkness will be exposed and defeated. Pray for leaders who will protect the innocent and preserve the freedom to preach the gospel. Then get up and vote. Your prayers are powerful. Your actions are also powerful. Be bold and courageous. Let your light shine before all men. The Lord is at hand.

May this equip you to live with fresh wisdom, understanding, and alignment with God in the days ahead. Vote. 

A Prophetic Word for 2026

In early December 2025, I began asking God for a prophetic word for 2026. I didn't hear anything all month. Then around 1:00 AM on 1/1/2926, as I was going to bed, I felt like the Lord was saying, "Reset." 

I listened for more and He said, "Some things are going to reset this year."

Finally, there was my word for the year!

It is a general prophetic word, not strictly a personal one. The word may touch anyone and any sphere. I didn't have any indication whether the coming resets would be good or bad. However, God's character is  such that he desires good outcomes. As such, a reset usually leads to a good outcome, at least by degrees insofar as the people in the relevant sphere cooperate with God and that which is good. Good begets good outcomes; bad begets bad outcomes. Yes, God will use what is meant for bad and turn it into good, but still calls for cooperation with Him to that end. That is why the people of God need to pray and intercede and contend for every reset in every sphere. You may not be in a sphere, but your prayers are powerful. At the same time your actions are also powerful. Be bold and courageous as the Lion of Judah roaring on the inside of you. Let your light shine before all men, the Lord is at hand!

It hasn't taken long for some resets to show themselves. A cursory glance at recent news headlines reveals several major resets in progress. I do want to point out that this year is a Jubilee year for America. At 250 years old on July 4th, this is America's 5th Jubilee year. What things could reset in America in 2026?

The purpose of a prophetic word is to reveal the hidden things to God's people in order to equip them to move forward in alignment with God. Given that, what we can take from this word is that we must keep watch, as a sentry or watchman on the wall, for things that might be resetting and pray and contend for them and the people involved. 

May this word equip you to live from a place of wisdom, understanding, and alignment with God in 2026!

Twenty Four Hours After Charlie Kirk's Assasination

It has taken me a day to even feel like typing this. I am angry and devastated for Charlie Kirk's family, friends, and audiences. I am praying for everyone touched by this tragedy and for America.

This senseless political violence is demonic. 
Enough is enough. What is it going to take for people to wake up to the truth about the political spectrum? Things like today keep happening and people still think it's just an outlier. The fact is that the battle between good and evil has entered the political arena and sides have been revealed for a few years now. And isn't that what you would expect as we approach end times? You don't have to like it. It is just what things have become.
 
Many have been deceived and some demonically controlled to align with evil. It's time for people to wake up, renew their minds to the truth, and align with good in this spiritual battle. And I'll give you a hint, you won't find truth and goodness on the Left. You'll only find deception, lies, perversion, wickedness, and evil on that side. I'm not at all saying the alternative side is perfect and has it all together, but alignments have been made. Choose today to align with truth and goodness. Even if you don't understand how some positions on the alternative side are sound ones, you can still see the overall alignment with truth and goodness. Wake up and renew your mind now.

I would be remiss to not add that the greatest truth of all is the capital-'t' Truth, Jesus Christ. Even if you already know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, you can most certainly surrender whatever you are holding back and allow Him to be Lord and King over even more of your life. It is Jesus who gives us, through the Holy Spirit, the compass and guidance to know truth and goodness in this dark confusing world. Time to fully and completely  open your heart, mind, and life to Jesus!

"Jesus said [to those who believed in Him], “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 
--John 8:31–32

Keys to Hearing God's Voice

This is the third of three posts about hearing God's voice, the ways God speaks, and keys to hearing God's voice. Be sure to read the first post here and the second post here.

Practically speaking, how do you hear God's voice? Hearing God’s voice is a skill that develops over time through relationship and practice in activated listening and awareness. You have to activate your awareness of God at all times to begin to recognize and listen to His voice. You do this by a strong relationship with God. That means abiding in Christ and walking by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Throughout each day, continuously talk with God. Ask Him in each moment for guidance regarding your thoughts, words, and choices. That is what it means to walk by the Spirit. That is practicing the presence of God at all times. That is how you put yourself in position to hear God's voice.

Now, a word about "gratifying the desires of the flesh". This is the opposite of walking by the Spirit. The flesh can be synonymous with our sinful nature and ungodly desires.

The hippies of the Jesus People movement of the 1970s had a saying about this. They would say "Don't flesh out" or "Dude, you've been fleshing out". For example, a Spirit-filled Jesus People hippie who had given up sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll, would decide one night to listen to some of his old music. The next day at the hippie church, he admits to the next hippie, "Man, I fleshed out on some Stones last night". He'd say, "Man, it was groovy, but I shouldn't have!"

The reason he shouldn't have is because there are absolutely things that will suppress and drown out the Holy Spirit and the fruit of and the voice of the Spirit. When you flesh out and gratify the desires of the flesh, you pollute your soul. That makes it hard to walk by the Spirit, to bear the fruit of the Spirit, and hear His voice.

I'm going to say it right now, some of you have been fleshing out. It might be music, TV, Netflix, too much food: gluttony, laziness, or any number of other things. Whatever it is, I'm telling you right now to quit fleshing out. It will keep you from walking by the Spirit, bearing fruit, and hearing His voice.

I'm going to say it another way. Be careful what you let into your gates. You have an ear gate, an eye gate, a mouth gate, and even a sexual gate. That is one reason why the apostle Paul warned so strongly to flee sexual immorality. Letting the wrong things into your gates allows negative spiritual reprecusions. It can even allow unclean spirits and demons into your life to tempt, torment, and oppress you. Guard your gates. Don't let anything into your gates that will gratify the desires of the flesh, pollute your soul, and keep you from walking by the Spirit with fruit and hearing God's voice.

If you want to hear God's voice, here are a number of keys:

1. Know God will speak.

God is always speaking, we're just not always listening. While authorship of the Scriptures has ceased, understand that the revelatory experiences that biblical figures such as Abraham, Isaiah, Peter, and Paul had are still available to believers today. God’s revelatory activity did not cease with the early church. The Scriptures are set in stone, but God still speaks into our lives. Listen.

2. Prayer, fasting, worship, and Scripture reading.

Stay regular in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, worship, and Scripture reading-- and also consider prayer journaling. These spiritual disciplines are part of what entail abiding in Christ, as mentioned earlier. This will help you stay close to God and get on His 'frequency' so to speak. This will also help you learn to recognize the 'language of the Spirit'.

3. Don't try too hard to hear something.

This may seem paradoxical, but God is a God of paradox. That God, the Creator, Savior, Lord, and King died on a cross for the sins of humanity is the paradox of all paradoxy. Case in point, when we try too hard to hear something from Him, we usually don't hear anything. I don't know why this is, but somehow trying too hard o hear something messes with our ability to hear Him. Rest assured He is still speaking. Instead, be listening and aware of His presence by walking by the Spirit, as we talked about earlier. In this way, we often hear God clearly as we go about our daily lives, whether we're praying, reading Scripture, or driving our car. Practice the presence of God and listen throughout your day and you will hear Him better than if you impatienty stain to hear something right now.

4. Embrace the silence.

There's so much noise in our lives. Chatter, clatter, thoughts, TV, tunes, and loons all constantly clamoring for our attention. If you want to grow in hearing God's voice, you need to learn to embrace silence. We were never meant to live in the midst of so much noise. It's overkill and drowns out the voice of God. Embrace and, as I always say, listen to the silence.

Someone will say, "How? I can't get a moments peace." Well, that is one reason many men and women of God throughout history and today have gotten up early in the morning-- before anyone else-- and spent time with God in a quiet place without disturbance. Some other tips to help you are to turn off the music, TV, and video games and, at all times, be careful who or what content you let through your gates. This will lead to more moments of silence and clarity where you can listen to God.

5. Surround yourself with men and women of God.

This includes as friends, mentors, and a Spirit-filled fellowship where God's presence is tangible. We become like who we spend time with. You need men and women of God to influence you, support you, and speak into your life. They will help you hear God accurately through accountability, wisdom, and layering.

6. Test what you hear.

Since you and me hearing God's voice is extra-biblical revelation, it means discerning between God’s voice, our own thoughts, and e enemy. Therefore, test all voices, words, impressions, thoughts, or images against the Scriptures and humbly seek confirmation and layering through other men and women of God. Pay attention to the fruit of the message—does it bring peace, align with God’s character, and bring you closer to God? If you are wondering if you've heard God's voice, test it.

7. Obey.

If God tells you to do something, obey. Jesus said those who were faithful would be given more.

BONUS: The baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit if you haven't already received it. Although all who have received Jesus can begin to hear God's voice without it, the baptism in the Holy Spirit does greatly enhance your hearing and recognization of God's voice.

Prayer

All that is left now if for us to pray and ask God to help us grow in hearing God's voice.

Growing in hearing God's voice is a process. It has taken me years to learn to recognize His voice, interpret my dreams and more. I did not share about my journey. But growing in hearing and recognizing God's voice is like growing in your relationship with God-- it's a process that takes time. Be paient and persevere. Be in it for the long run.

Pray that God will open our spiritual ears and eyes to what He is saying to us. We want to know His voice and follow Him.

And if you are well on your journey of hearing His voice, then lean into that. Ask Him what He's saying, thank Him and ask to grow closer to Him and go deeper with Him and knowing His voice moment by moment.

Pray with me:

Father, thank you that you love to speak to us. I want to hear you clearly moment by moment every day. I want to know you, to follow you, and to be guided by you. Help me to abide and to walk by the Spirit. Jesus, baptize me in the Holy Spirit with tongues of fire and power. Yes, Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit to overflowing. Help me to guard my gates. May I test all things by the Scripture. May I surround ourselves with men and women of God who will help mentor and guide me in discerning Your voice. Give me dreams, visions, and prophecies in these last days. Show me. Lord, the language of the Spirit. Yes, Lord, open my spiritual eyes and ears. In Jesus' name. Amen.