In the Bible, idol worship never ended well. With less than 100 days until the election, we must not place candidates above God. We need to seek God, and not selectively use scriptures to justify our beliefs while causing harm to those we are meant to serve and support. If we don’t change, the Bible warns us of the consequences and our country will face challenges we’ve yet to imagine.
In an unexpected twist, President Biden has decided to step back from the presidential race, throwing his support behind Vice President Harris. It’s been phenomenal to witness the harmony, unity, and hope that we haven’t experienced in a while. The organizing of various groups has been a call to action resulting in a significant increase in donations and voter registrations. <Vote.org> announced there was a nearly 700% increase in daily voter registrations. USA Today states that Harris’ campaign raised $126 million in the first three days. The momentum has been exhilarating to see people engaged and involved.
Our excitement cannot keep us disconnected from the issues we face. We’ve seen our history erased from classrooms, workplace opportunities to address inequities vanish, and a lack of accountability for those who wield their power oppressively.
Recently in Texas, a lawsuit was filed against the Waxahachie school district in their mistreatment of Black and Brown students. Despite some pushing the narrative of a ‘post-racial’ society, we are once again confronted with the tragic murder of a Black woman, Sonya Massey, in her home by an officer who was supposed to protect her.
These moments can get people fired up but fail to recognize the real issues. Despite the former president’s claim to have ‘no idea’ about Project 2025, this playbook by the Heritage Foundation is designed to dismantle even more policies that impact communities of color. The proposals include cutting food stamps and social programs, imposing more Medicaid eligibility requirements, reducing corporate income tax rates, slashing rates for high-income investors, and canceling federal student loan forgiveness programs. These are suggested policies that will have an adverse effect on the poor, people of color, and women.
As Believers, we must not cherry-pick Bible passages to feel superior, ignoring significant teachings about caring for the poor, foreigners, widows, children, and the elderly (James 2:15-16), (Luke 14:13- 14), (Proverbs 28:27). We are in a very interesting time. Yet God is not caught off guard or surprised. As I read through the Book of Ezekiel, God condemns many nations for their idolatry. As a country that promotes being “under God,” we seem to be confused and doing the opposite.
We equate idol worship to building a golden calf and dancing naked around it. Yet, we live in a time in which political leaders have become idols. As long as they profess faith in God, we overlook their actions, prioritizing their views over those of Jesus. Scripture tells us “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witch-craft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you…those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-20).
As a society, we focus on sexual sins (we crucify some and others we just see it as a ‘moral failing’) and fail to address the others listed. Ego and desire for control takes precedence, edging God out from being the number one priority in our lives. “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen” (Romans 1:25).
In the Bible, idol worship never ended well. With less than 100 days until the election, we must not place candidates above God. We need to seek God, not selectively use scripture to justify our beliefs while causing harm to those we are meant to serve and support. If we don’t change, the Bible warns us of the consequences and our country will face challenges we’ve yet to imagine.
(Dr. Froswa’ Booker Drew is the founder of the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation and president of Soulstice Consultancy. Visit <drfroswabooker.com> or email <info@drfroswa.com>.)
