The Christian journey requires constant vigilance. Scripture reminds us time and again how easily we can stray from the path of righteousness. It’s far too easy to grow complacent in our faith, assuming that once we’re committed to Christ, we’re safe from falling.
However, biblical and modern history shows us how quickly faith can be compromised, often in ways we never expected. This is common in the United States where we see a decline of those holding a true Christian worldview. I personally saw this in my life growing up in church and Christianity but fell into apostasy before meeting the Holy Spirit transforming my life.
The Book of Judges offers a stark reminder of how easily people can fall into idolatry and sin. One of the most tragic figures is Jonathan, the grandson of Moses, who led the tribe of Dan into idol worship (Judges 18:30). This example underscores a sobering truth: no one is immune to spiritual failure. Despite his noble lineage and exposure to amazing men of God, he led an entire tribe away from the faith of his forefathers. A strong heritage of faith is no guarantee of personal or national righteousness. We must not rest on past victories or assume that our faith is secure because of the spiritual foundation laid by others.
One of the clearest examples of how quickly faith can waver is found in the life of the Apostle Peter. Just hours after he boldly declared his willingness to die for Jesus, Peter denied Him three times, succumbing to the fear and pressure of the moment (Matthew 26:33-35, 69-75). This dramatic reversal — just 12 hours between a declaration of loyalty and a denial of the Savior — teaches us a vital lesson: even those closest to Jesus can fall away if they are not continually vigilant.
Peter’s admonition to be "sober-minded" and "watchful" (1 Peter 5:8) is not just a general guideline — it is a command born out of personal experience. He knew firsthand how quickly we can be overwhelmed by fear or temptation, and how important it is to stay alert in our spiritual lives. Jesus also warned us to "be ready" because His return will be swift and unexpected (Matthew 24:44). This readiness is not passive; it requires us to actively guard our hearts, our lives and our faith against the subtle forces that would cause us to slip away.
After elections, it’s easy to feel a sense of relief when leaders who share our values take office. While supporting those who uphold biblical principles is important, we must not forget that political power is fleeting, and secular influences continue to shape culture. Christians are called to remain vigilant, guarding against spiritual drift and refusing to grow complacent. Our ultimate hope and security rest not in policies or politicians but in Jesus Christ, who alone is unchanging and eternal.
One of the greatest threats to the Christian faith today is the subtle shift from devotion to Christ to devotion to a cause, a leader, or a political ideology. Many well-meaning believers have found themselves so deeply entangled in political battles that they begin to see the world primarily through a political lens rather than a biblical one. While engaging in the political process is important, we must be careful not to allow it to become an idol—something we prioritize above God and His kingdom.
History provides us with stark warnings about how easily this can happen. Al Sharpton began his career as a preacher and civil rights activist. He once stood in the pulpit preaching biblical truths, but now, his message is almost entirely political, and his idol has become his cause rather than the gospel.
When our primary concern becomes earthly power or earthly leaders, we risk compromising our faith through drift. Conservatives should be careful too. Many Christians have made a similar mistake with figures like President Donald Trump. While Trump has been a defender of religious liberty and conservative values, he is still a sinner fallen short of the Glory of God, as we all are. Some Christians have allowed their allegiance to our nation’s duly-elected chief executive—or to the movement surrounding him—to take precedence over their commitment to Christ.
In my book, "On the Duty of Christian Civil Disobedience," I warn believers about the danger of making their cause their idol. Whether it is the fight for religious freedom, pro-life advocacy, human trafficking or any other political struggle, we must remember that these great ministry efforts in and of themselves are not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Each of these causes is valiant and important, but we must not forsake the biblical lens we are called to see these issues through.
The moment we start placing our hope or our faith in a man or a movement, we are setting ourselves up for spiritual failure. Political power is fleeting, and even the best leaders will disappoint us and make mistakes. As Psalm 146:3 states, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.”
The only true and lasting hope we have is in Christ alone.
This is not a call for disengagement but for discernment. Christians should be involved in the political process, advocating for truth and righteousness, but always with the understanding that our ultimate allegiance is to the King of Kings, not to any earthly ruler. When we become so enmeshed in politics that we excuse sin, justify corruption, or place blind loyalty in any leader, we have lost sight of our higher calling. We must remain vigilant, ensuring that our political engagement is an expression of our faith rather than a replacement for it.
