Politics is the Flesh the Gospel is the Power of God

“A call to reject idolatry, hatred, and selfish ambition in government and embrace the Gospel.”

Politics thrives on idolatry, hatred, and selfish ambition—but the Gospel alone has power to save. Here’s why I refuse to put my trust in political systems.

In today’s climate, politics thrives on labeling others as racists, blaming entire groups, spreading hatred, and ignoring the redemptive power of God. But politics cannot save us. The spirit of politics is rooted in the works of the flesh, not the Spirit of God. The spirit of politics can be found in the fruit of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

I am going to point out four specifics characteristics that exist in any government in the world and in any ideology taken directly out of the fruit of the flesh list:

1. Idolatry: Everything that takes the place of God… in this case Government takes the place of God.
2. Hatred: From the Greek Word échthra; meaning “…enemy. Enmity, hatred, hostility.”^[1] This represents the culture of politics.
3. Contentions: This is the Greek word éris; meaning “Strife, contention… Metaphorically, it means love of strife.^[2]
4. Selfish Ambitions: This is the Greek word eritheía; meaning “To work for hire… used in a bad sense of those who seek only their own. Contention, strife, rivalry. It represents a motive of self–interest, mercenary interest (Phil. 1:16; 2:3). It also meant canvassing for public office, scheming.^[3] This is not to be confused with a public servant; these are the folks who run for a public servant position, but in reality they are politicians. The public servant cares for the people and work for the betterment of the people. The politician, on the others hand, is distinctively marked with these four characteristics taken directly out of the fruit of the flesh.

Get out of politics—because politics cannot redeem. If you want to change the world, do it with the Gospel. Jesus commanded, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15, NIV). Transformation doesn’t come from parties or politicians, but from the power of God’s Kingdom. Stop trusting in politics—start living and proclaiming the Gospel that truly changes lives.

---

^[1] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[2] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[3] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).