Banes S. Lal
Disclaimer: The following essay is partially derived from conversations with non-believers—some married, others single—who shared their experiences of disillusionment within the Christian community. For many, a troubling link to a specific politician or certain political affiliations by some Christians fueled their mistrust. Through reviewing texts, photos, and recorded conversations provided to me, I, too, reached the inevitable conclusion that duplicity of faith not only undermines the gospel we are called to spread but also alienates younger generations.
This essay aims to encourage Christians to recognize the urgent need to move beyond tribal identifications and instead embrace the moral convictions central to our faith.
The Hypocrite Next to You - When Character No Longer Matters
In today's polarized world, the impact of political loyalty to Christian values is heading for impact at the dangerous intersection of Christian faith and political idolatry. A pressing question confronts Christians: why has a portion of the church, particularly in evangelical circles, pledged such steadfast loyalty to a political figure whose values sharply contrast with those of Christ? Humility, mercy, grace and repentance fill the pages of Scripture. Yet, these virtues seem conveniently dismissed when believers defend and celebrate actions that oppose the very essence of Christ-like character.
The Bible explicitly warns us about the dangers of hypocrisy. According to Prov. 28:13 declares, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Followers of Christ are called to repent, own their mistakes, and turn away from them. However, for many Christians, there is a deafening silence to justify Trump's proven indiscretions, which range from sexual misconduct to blatant lies. This hypocrisy is obvious and severely damaging to the Christian witness.
The Lost Witness
One disillusioned believer said, "I don't think the Christian community realizes how much damage they've done to further the Gospel message." Christianity is in decline in North America, a trend partly fueled by the hypocrisy of believers who proclaim the gospel of grace but live in ways that contradict it. The New Testament is clear that followers of Jesus are called to a higher standard, a life that reflects the fruit of the Spirit: love, peace, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
When Christians support figures who lack these qualities, they compromise the credibility of their faith and the personal testimony they offer the world.
Jesus warned of this in Matt. 7:5, saying, "Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." However, many evangelicals ignore Trump's rejection of humility, compassion, and selflessness. This paradox turns non-believers away from the gospel, repelling many who would otherwise be drawn to its message.
Instead of uniting with compassion, some believers mimic Trump's divisive tactics, adopting his mockery, insult, and hostility. Their words echo his hostility toward those different from themselves—rhetoric marked by habitual racism, derogatory gossip, and an embrace of extremist symbols. This inconsistency damages the Christian witness and alienates non-believers, pushing them further away from the gospel and undermining the commandment to "love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matt. 22:39).
This duplicity has not gone unnoticed by the broader world, especially young people who view the church's alliance with such a figure as a betrayal of the values they were taught to believe in. How can Christians preach the gospel of repentance and grace when they publicly (and privately) refuse to live by the standard preached?
Mimicking a Demagogue Instead of Modeling Christ
What began as evangelical support has evolved into unwavering loyalty that regards criticism of Trump as a threat to the church itself. Rather than emulating Christ, some have embraced Trump's divisive and fear-driven narratives, which at times include troubling associations, even with extremist symbolism such as Nazism (even parading as one) and rhetoric, as well as the demonization of immigrants and people of colour.
This alignment is especially painful when one considers that Christians follow a Saviour who welcomed the marginalized. The evangelical community, in some cases, appears to have placed Trump on a pedestal, treating critiques of him as attacks on Christianity itself. At the heart of this troubling trend lies a form of political idolatry, placing power above faith. Exodus 20:3 warns, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," yet political allegiance sometimes eclipses faith itself.
A Modern-Day Barabbas: Choosing Power Over Conviction
The loyalty some Christians demonstrate toward Trump is reminiscent of the biblical account of Barabbas. When faced with the choice between Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and Barabbas, a violent insurrectionist, the people chose Barabbas (Matthew 27:20-26). The choice was driven by self-preservation and a desire for power—a choice that led to tragic consequences. Similarly, many believers today find themselves at a crossroads, where allegiance to political gain is chosen over moral integrity.
Two millennia later, a vast number of Christians have found themselves at a similar crossroads, choosing political gain over moral integrity. This political allegiance has undermined the gospel's message, leading many outside the faith to view Christianity as a religion of convenience rather than conviction.
Alienating a New Generation
The impact of this hypocrisy is profound. Young people, in particular, are disillusioned, questioning why those who claim to follow Jesus would support a leader who mocks the disabled, derides women, and engages in cruel rhetoric. Excusing Trump's actions while condemning the same behaviours in others has made Christianity appear inconsistent, and it's unlikely these young people are unlikely to return without witnessing a radical transformation in evangelical priorities.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Christ warns his disciples against hypocrisy, saying, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy" (Luke 12:1). And yet, many Christians now condone in Trump the very sins they denounce elsewhere and especially from the pulpit. The world is watching, and the church's failure to live according to Christ's teachings has damaged its witness, potentially beyond repair.
Christ's Teachings and the Kingdom of God
As Christians, we must remember that the kingdom of God is not of this world. Jesus' teachings clarify that we are to pursue a higher calling, one not bound to earthly power structures. Jesus told his followers to "render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:21). By blurring the distinction between faith and politics, Christians risk distorting the gospel's message, reducing it to a tool for political gain rather than a call to moral integrity.
Scripture reminds us that true Christianity is not based on political power. Jesus, who could have sought earthly power, chose to model humility, compassion, obedience and self-sacrifice instead. The shifting sands of the political arena provide no stable foundation for faith, as earthly power will never replace the gospel's transformative truth.
Rejecting the Seven Deadly Sins
A close examination of Trump's actions reveals a pattern resembling the seven deadly sins—pride, greed, lust, wrath, gluttony, envy, and sloth—rather than Christian virtues. Trump's consistent violations of key commandments, such as "Thou shalt not bear false witness" (Exodus 20:16) and "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14), further highlight this disconnect. Yet, some Christians continue to defend his behaviour, ignoring the clear directive in Gal. 5:22-23, where the fruits of the Spirit—"love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance"—are prescribed as marks of a Christ-transformed life. Selective loyalty reflects a form of spiritual self-deception which the Lord Jesus condemned.
In the eyes of the world, this hypocritical allegiance has caused long-term damage to the Christian faith. The Gospel of Matthew warns us about the pitfalls of hypocrisy, cautioning that "no man can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24). By attempting to serve both God and a political figure who contradicts Christian values, many evangelicals have compromised their witness, causing young people and others who seek truth to turn away. The Lord called his followers to be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Matt. 5:13-16), and yet this alliance has dimmed that light and diluted that salt.
Embracing The Beatitudes
Jesus's teachings in the Beatitudes starkly contrast the current Christian fixation on political power in Matt. 5:3-12, Jesus calls his followers to a radical humility and purity of heart: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5) and "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9). The beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 paint a picture of a kingdom where humility, mercy, and purity of heart are honoured—traits starkly absent in Trump's behaviour. The aggression, vindictiveness, and lies now excused by some evangelicals show how far they have strayed from the heart of the Lord's message. By excusing behaviour that defies the Beatitudes, Christians have switched from embodying the gospel to defending the exact behaviours Jesus condemned.
Moving Forward: A Call to Authentic Faith
If the church is to survive and thrive, it must distance itself from this to reject the toxic mix of politics and faith and return to the teachings of the Lord Jesus. The solution is simple but profound: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33). By prioritizing faith over politics, Christians can rediscover their true mission, which is to be salt and light in a broken world. This requires courage, humility, and a willingness to repent of how the church has compromised its witness. As the Lord said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). Christians should remember that their hope is not in any political figure or earthly kingdom but in the eternal kingdom of God.
This call to authentic Christianity is evident. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ must reject the hypocrisy that has alienated so many people and strive instead to embody Christ's glorious love, compassion, and humility.
Only then can the church hope to reclaim the trust of a watching world and carry out its purpose of spreading the gospel to all people. Only by doing so can Christians restore the credibility of their witness and genuinely reflect the kingdom of God.
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