12 Warning Signs That Politics Are Becoming an Idol
February 27, 2024
The old adage about never discussing politics or religion in polite company has been around for some time. However, an article in Christian Headlines warns that, in the past 45 years, political ideals have become a kind of idol that displaces religious ideals.
This raises questions about whether believers are setting their priorities as ambassadors of Christ or as political operatives. Christian influence in a secular world can be a good thing but can also tempt us to give our attention to idols.
Here are 12 warning signs that politics are becoming an idol:
- Political issues take precedence over time spend in God’s word.
- Pushing church leaders to promote certain candidates or issues.
- Spending too much time focused on the news.
- Unproductive conversations.
- Prioritizing activism over the church.
- Frustration with church leadership.
- Using social media to push your opinions.
- Believing that your candidate or party is the only true way.
- Attacking others for being politically different or belonging to a different party.
- Misplaced pride rather than humility.
- Pushing politics, not evangelism.
- Feeling hopeless by forgetting God’s sovereignty.
Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary said, “We believe that love of neighbor compels us to be concerned for freedom in every corner of the world. Our concern as Christians should be to see our neighbors saved from an immediate peril that we may have the opportunity to proclaim to them the Gospel so that they might be saved from an ultimate, eternal peril. Like Augustine, it is love of neighbor — rooted finally in love for God — that compels us to want and hope and pray for the good of our society.”
Photo: top, credit: Christian Headlines