You may like or dislike President Trump, praise or protest his policies, or support or wish to supplant his political career. Our current leader of the United States has his share of flaws and egregious behavior, but he’s not the enemy. Trump might be vulgar, but he’s not the villain. He may antagonize, but he’s not the accuser. You might disagree with him, but he’s not our deceiver. Our most important fight is against the being we know as Beelzebub, Satan, or Lucifer.
Satan took the form of a serpent and pushed Adam and Eve to sin in the Garden of Eden. This sinister being destroyed Job’s life, led David to disobediently count his military and attempted to steal God’s throne (Job 1:6-2:8, 1 Chron 21:1., Is 14:13). In the NT, he’s known as the devil (the Greek translation of Satan). By him, Jesus was tempted in the desert, Judas was led astray, and Paul was given a thorn (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 22:2, Cor 12:7).
Whereas we can generally find some good in most political leaders, Satan is the epitome of evil. His nature is pure wickedness. As Graham Cooke says, “He is malevolent. He’s not ambivalent in how much he hates you.” That is why John 10:10 states, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” 1 Peter 5:8 states, “Be of sober Spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Satan’s mission is to devour your relationships, destroy your ministries, attack you with disgusting thoughts, and overwhelm you with fear. He has nothing but hatred and hostility for you, and there is no good in him.
Have you watched the TV show Stranger Things? (Spoiler Alert! ) Satan is like that big, nasty, disgusting six-legged Mind Flayer invading the Indiana town to unleash his wickedness on the world.
We don’t fight our adversary with political action, civil discourse, or telekinetic powers. As Ephesians 6:12-18 states:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…” (ESV).
This military accouterment wasn’t designed for Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, or any person on earth. Our armament is spiritual, and it’s meant to battle the diabolical. It doesn’t matter if you picket the president or hail Hillary, but have you scheduled a time to fight the first battle? Likewise, you might oppose Pelosi or bash Bernie, but are you bringing your sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, and the gospel of peace to the fight?
We don’t want to give Satan and his emissaries too much credit. Evil also originates through our own sinful choices. But my point is, as Christians, there are dark forces that often oppose us—much higher than anyone who sits in an aerie office. Likewise, whatever social ill you seek to right on this planet, the battle doesn’t begin with what your eyes can see. Recognize the spiritual war we have been born into, then fight whoever you need to on earth.
Thankfully, we battle from a place of Spiritual victory. Colossians 2:14-15 describes how Jesus canceled our debt, “nailing it to the cross” and how “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Ultimately, “the great dragon” will be “thrown down,” but we must deal with his evil schemes until the final Judgment Day (Rev 12:9). That is why Jesus tells us to pray, “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” and “deliver us from evil” (Matthew 5:10,13). Rest is our weapon, praise is our power, peace is our protector, and the Cross is our crossbow.
Work for what you believe in, but keep the Prince of Darkness your priority. When I watch MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) on TV, several different matches are scheduled for each event. The lowest-ranked fighters hold their bouts first, while the highest-ranked fighters clash at the night’s end. As Christians, we begin with the biggest, baddest dude first, then work our way backward.
There’s only one tempter, and Trump isn’t it. Only one Prince of Darkness and presidents don’t fit the bill. Leaders on this side of heaven are neither deities nor demons. Just as Trump isn’t our primary enemy, neither is he our Savior. It’s alluring to want to change our society through politics before changing the spiritual atmosphere. Indeed, God smiles on us when we fight for affordable housing for single moms, take care of foster children, and volunteer at homeless shelters. I reach out to refugees in my ring and fight for equal opportunity for the marginalized. As Henry Nouwen states, “The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it.”
As you practically bring God’s Kingdom to earth, put on your spiritual armor and start with your one, real enemy. Don’t sell your soul in fighting a lesser foe. Keep the main fight the main fight.
