It wouldn’t surprise me if the Deep State was more real and diabolical than most of us ever imagined. Nor would it surprise me if Big Pharma was thoroughly corrupted by greed, or if major players in our nation were part of a larger globalist conspiracy. My answer, in all possible scenarios, remains the same. Let’s preach the Gospel, pray the Gospel, and live the Gospel, thereby extending the kingdom of God. That is how we most effectively push back. That is how we win.

Focus First on the Gospel and the Kingdom

I’m not saying that is the only thing we do. I’m saying it’s the main thing we do. I’m saying it’s where our emphasis must lie. I’m saying, that as followers of Jesus, our greatest weapons are spiritual.

That’s how we change the world.

That’s how we rock the boat.

That’s how we disrupt the status quo.

That’s how we displace evil.

Paul wrote this to the Corinthian believers nearly 2,000 years ago:

“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”

(This is taken from the NLT, a close paraphrase which captures the force of Paul’s words.)

To repeat: this is how we change the world. Put another way, we major on Gospel transformation rather than political transformation.

We Engage Politically, Yes, But It’s Not Our Primary Emphasis

Do we not engage in the political realm at all? Certainly not. Some of us will engage in a primarily vocational way, others by lobbying for key issues, and others by simply voting. Political engagement certainly has a role to play.

But, as the Body of Christ, we do not major on political transformation, which can only work from the top down and which cannot change hearts. Instead, we focus on our calling as the Messiah’s ambassadors, namely, the calling to change hearts and transform lives, thereby impacting the larger society.

This is where we need to put our focus, and this is where we need to expend our energies. It is as logical as it is practical. And it is spiritual as well.

Of course, there is a hyper-spirituality that disconnects from earthly life to the point of being unrealistic and impractical.

Take Practical Steps as Well as Spiritual Steps

This brings to mind the story about a boy who was watching a boxing match on TV with his father.

When the bell rang to start the first round, one of the boxers crossed himself.

The boy asked his dad, “Does that help?”

The father replied, “Only if can punch.”

I trust you get the point. You can pray all day for victory, but unless you train hard and have some athletic gifting, you’re unlikely to win. Let us be practical as well as spiritual.

Our Battle Emphasis is Ultimately in the Spiritual Realm

At the same time, Paul wrote, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10–12).

That’s where our ultimate battle is being fought — with demonic powers more than political or earthly powers — and that’s where our battle is ultimately won.

Prayer does make a difference. As does fasting. And loving our neighbor. And preaching the Gospel. And making disciples. And exposing darkness. And refuting error. And liberating captives.

Rather Than Researching and Railing Fruitlessly, Pursue the Life-Changing Power of God

In contrast, what does our railing against the Deep State accomplish? Better to pray for our elected officials to do what is right than to spend years chasing rabbit trails about hidden conspiracies. Better to ask God to expose corruption and darkness than to watch the latest 100 videos on the evils of the Deep State (or Big Pharma or whatever). Better to do what we can do — namely, be disciples and make disciples — than flail helplessly at something most of us cannot change.

Again, this does not mean that we abandon the political realm. We need solid elected officials who will pass just laws and stand for what is right. We need a government that is truly by and for the people, working in the overall best interests of the nation.

But the weapons we have in the Spirit are much more powerful than anything Washington can wield. And the more we focus our gaze on Jesus rather than on political leaders (or the media or anyone else on this earth), the more we become like Him. And the more we become like Him, the more we become agents of change — be it in the business world or in the home, be it in the courts or in the schools.

Jesus changes us and, with His help, one life at a time or more, we change the world. That is the essence of the Jesus Revolution. That is the meaning of the Great Commission. That is how we fight. That is how we win.

So, on with it, in Jesus’ name. Each of us have a vital role to play.

 

Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book, When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis is due to be released April 15. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.