Today, I overheard someone speaking negatively about President Trump. That seems to be the popular thing to do these days. Navigate to any renowned news website and I can almost guarantee that within 30 seconds, you will find an article or picture that attempts to discredit, disfigure, or disqualify Trump. It is easy to do, and these news sources are having a field day--or field year--with it.
Yes, you can be a Christian and disagree with some of Trump's policies, his demeanor, and his words. I do not consider myself extraordinarily political (and I tend to hold my tongue when groups are having political debates), but I will admit that I sometimes cringe at the tweets that come from the president's Twitter page. We are to be discerning, after all, and well-versed in biblical matters so that we can compare a leader's words against the teaching of Scripture. In fact, I would actually consider it unwise for us to be readily ignorant of a leader's willful and frequent departure from the teaching of the Bible, particularly if he or she claims to be a genuine follower of Christ. However, there is a wide gap between readily ignorant and hypercritical.
It is easy for us as believers to criticize. It would be easy for me, even now, to attempt to discredit Trump's faith by stacking up evidence of his belittling of others, mockeries, etc. But what is that going to accomplish? The same Word that tells us to watch out for wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15) also tells us to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). It does not tell us to verbally assault, belittle, slander, scoff at, gossip about, or mock those in authority.
Let us say that, hypothetically, Trump is not a genuine follower of Jesus Christ. Do we then have the right to slander and dishonor him? No. Peter, an eyewitness of our Lord, told his brethren to "honor the emperor" (1 Peter 2:17). Most scholars believe that this emperor was Nero, known for his persecution of Christians. If Peter commanded believers to honor such a malevolent figure, do you really think he would change his advice regarding how believers ought to esteem Trump? I doubt it. Actually, "I doubt it" isn't good enough. The Word of God never changes, so the answer is a solid "no."
We are not only to honor Trump, but we are to follow Paul's command in 1 Timothy to make petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving for him. Yes, thanksgiving. You don't know what to be thankful for when it comes to President Trump? Research until you find something. If you notice his speech not lining up with that which should display Christian character, pray for his maturity. If you doubt that he is truly saved, intercede by asking God to awaken him to salvation (or to grow him if he is saved). If you doubt that various measures he implements are for the good of society, lift up your petitions to God.
Maybe you are a believer who never says anything negative about President Trump. Maybe you're already praying for him all the time. Awesome! But remember that the title of this blog post is "Praying for Those in Authority." Do you ever slander or dishonor your boss? A manager? Your husband? Someone else's husband? Your mother or father? Someone else's parents? Anyone in a position of authority? Reread this post and ask yourself how any of it might apply to these sorts of leaders. As I said, it is easy for us believers to criticize. I posit that we ask God to help us to be less critical and more prayerful. Let us be obedient in petitioning, praying, interceding, and giving thanks for those in authority so "that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:2). But even more importantly, as you are doing this, know that it is good and pleasing to God (1 Timothy 2:3).
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