Have you ever heard of the phrase “Catch-22”? This phrase originated from a 1961 novel, “Catch-22”, by Joseph Heller. Today, the term Catch-22 describes a no-win situation where you seem stuck no matter what you want to do. We often feel this same way in today’s extremely tense and polarized political climate. For example, as believers, we face a difficult situation when deciding which party to vote for, especially when both sides — red and blue — show serious flaws, leaving us feeling trapped and unsure what side to vote for.
Jesus navigated a very divided political and religious climate in His day too. On one side were the Pharisees, a conservative group of religious leaders who followed the law to the letter but often elevated their rules above the well-being of all people. On the other side were the Herodians, a progressive party of Jewish leaders who supported the Roman government but did so for their own political gain. Though these two groups were polarized, they united in opposing Jesus. They didn’t truly reflect His love for God and people and His teachings, so they attempted to flatter Him in hopes of trapping Him with His own words.
Matthew 22:15-16 says: “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others because you pay no attention to who they are.’”
This rhetoric by the religious rulers in Jesus’ day sounds flattering on the surface — similar to the smooth words we often hear from our political candidates today. But Jesus wasn’t fooled by their deception. He used discernment to cut right through their false praise. Matthew 22:18-21 tells us: “But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, ‘Whose image is this? And whose inscription?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then he said to them, ‘So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’”
First Moral Compass: Jesus Wasn’t Fooled by Political Flattery In His Day and Neither Should We.
Jesus saw right through the Pharisees’ and Herodians’ false praise, fueled by deceit and hypocrisy. He masterfully answered their question about taxes while teaching a broader principle of balancing one’s civic duty with our spiritual integrity and belief system. Jesus’ message here reminds us that while we live in this world, we must carefully discern when earthly allegiances conflict with our higher calling to reflect God’s heart and Word in everything we do, even when voting.
Second Moral Compass: There is a Limit to Any Government Authority Here On Earth
In Romans 13:1, the Apostle Paul gives us insight into honoring God by obeying government laws: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. God has established the authorities that exist.” Psalm 24:1 reminds us of this truth: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Everything, including governments and authorities, ultimately belong to and answer too God.
As believers, we may not always agree with the laws of the land, but we understand that God allows governments to exist. However, when a government’s laws contradict God’s Word, we must remember that God’s authority is supreme over government authority here on earth. In this situation, we should vote our conscious as led by the Holy Spirit.
Third Moral Compass: We Are Made in God’s Image
Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Because we are made in God’s image, our ultimate allegiance is to Him. Our lives, actions, and decisions, even how we vote, should reflect that we are God’s image-bearers and called to be Different Makers and live in a way that honors Him.
Three Moral Takeaways During This Political Season:
1. Remember, you have dual citizenship — You are children of the Most High and also citizens under an earthly government.
2. We must be good citizens of God and our government.
3. When the two conflict, follow God.
So, here’s the bottom line:
When you’re feeling conflicted about which political party represents your best interests, both personally and spiritually, especially when both parties have conflicting values, remember these five important points:
1. Follow God.
2. Review your political positions and ask which ones best align with God’s Word.
3. Seek to reflect not only His law but also His overall loving nature, mercy, goodness, authority, and desire for all people.
4. Let the Lord' character guide your decisions and trust He will lead you on the right path.
5. Ask God for Wisdom. He will give it to you. (James 1:5)