The Fight Against Evil in 4 Key Steps
Je suis Charlie
WASHINGTON, DC — In polite company, “right-wing Christians” don’t discuss President Trump—unless they want to quickly exit a conversation. Likewise, they rarely mention a belief in Satan. Religion and politics are big no-nos—because the Left has shamed us into not speaking about these topics. One recent example was COVID. Thousands of right-leaning Christian homeschoolers were dubbed “Anti-Vaxx,” “Anti-Science,” and quickly put on notice by left-leaning family members not to join them for Thanksgiving unless, of course, they wear a mask and show proof of vaccination, and swear not to discuss Dr. Fauci’s emails. The Left wants us to play by their rules.
Religion and Politics don’t go together. The Left has two cardinal beliefs: Separation of Church and State and an unlimited promotion of an “anything goes sexual immorality.”
In the former, the Left not only dismisses the church, but they have organizations like the ACLU and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State set up to make sure Christians don’t censor PornHub from kids or Queer Reading Hour from elementary school classrooms. The Left hates robust religion that requires repentance, sexual morality, sanctity of human life, and law-abiding restraint—because it tells them they are wrong, they are sinners.
This week America faced the inevitable clash of Church and State, or Religion and Politics. And because the religion of the Left is the state, it is Christians who must make sense of the madness and danger progressivism poses to our country.
Je suis Charlie
Enter Jesus.
Jesus Christ laid out a very clear framework to Christians regarding evil.
FIRST, Jesus acknowledged that Satan rules the World and the Powers of this World. Remember when He was tempted,“…the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8-9). This is an explicit acknowledgment that Satan rules the World.
SECOND, Jesus Warned His Followers. After His Temptation, Jesus delivered His Beatitudes, ten blessings—three of the nine address evil.
Jesus promised ‘great reward’ to those who survived evil: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of health. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 10-12).
Jesus warned believers to obey the Sixth Commandment: “You shall do no murder…But I say to you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matt. 5:21-22).
Jesus admonished believers: “Love your enemies...” (Matt. 5:44).
Jesus taught his disciples to pray daily: “Deliver us from the evil one” (Matt 6:13). Another acknowledgment that Christ recognized the destruction and prevalence of evil in the world.
Jesus warned followers of being hated: “18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you... 20 … If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you... 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also... 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
THIRD, Paul reveals to us that there is a Titanic Battle Raging between Angels and Demons. St. Paul admonishes Christians to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:15-16).
The Bible’s teaching is very clear: evil exists, Satan exists.
But that’s not the end of the story. You see, more is required and more is expected of Christians living in the United States.
The debate in Christian circles boils down to this: Jesus says, “turn the other cheek,” and “forgive your enemies.” That’s it. That’s what Christians are to do. Period. End of story. I would submit this comes right out of the Left’s playbook—this is Christianity by their rules. If the Left knows anything about Jesus, it is, “Hey Christian, turn the other cheek and stop judging me.” Sadly, many evangelicals have adopted the reductionist theological argument of the anti-God Left.
Another key passage regarding the Christian role and response to government is found in Romans 13:1-7, written by the Apostle Paul.
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
This passage is written to Christians living under a Roman dictatorship, and one that was routinely accusing Christians of drinking blood and eating flesh (communion) and sending Christians into the Roman Colosseum to face lions. Paul’s admonition to obey your rulers is common sense for anyone living under a dictatorship or evil regime—or otherwise.
But since Paul wrote, Christianity spread, and good government, represented by “We the People” flourished.
Here’s the brief run up to our how Christians, Saints, and Christianity made our Constitution…
St. Augustine (426) in City of God argued that earthly rulers are under God’s authority. He didn’t advocate revolution, but he made clear that unjust states are no true “kingdoms” but robber bands.
Aquinas (1265) taught in Summa Theologica that government exists for the common good. If a ruler becomes a tyrant, the people may depose him — but carefully, to avoid worse chaos.
John Calvin (1559) in Institutes says private citizens may not overthrow rulers, but lesser magistrates are duty-bound to resist tyrants.
The Calvinist/Huguenot tract Vindiciae contra Tyrannos (1579) argued that kings rule by covenant with God and the people. If they break it, people can resist.
And Calvinist John Locke (1689, Two Treatises of Government) argued that government is a social contract — its purpose is to protect life, liberty, and property. If rulers betray that trust, the people have the right of revolution.
Locke’s idea laid the groundwork for our own American Revolution (1776). Jefferson states in the Declaration of Independence: “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…”
Notice the origin of representative government—rooted and grounded in 2,000 years of Christian history—and only made possible as Europe converted to Christ.
Christian nationalist, anyone? I digress.
Fast-forward to America in 2025. A few underlying facts…
1. We are not a Christian nation. Once informed by morality, truth, or justice, that is no longer the case.
2. We are a nation whose diversity is not a strength, but our greatest challenge.
3. We are a country hosting millions of evil people who are wholly unaccountable to justice or law. Millions have no conscience, they are possessed by demons. They will kill you for no reason at all. Others of us pay our taxes, mow our lawns, and work hard every day. We are a nation divided.
4 Key Steps
So what to do? Here are four steps (+one bonus) I propose taking immediately:
Carry your sword: Jesus told his disciples just before His arrest and crucifixion, “Let him who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one” (John 22:36). In other words, be prepared to defend yourself. And once you have a weapon, be prepared to use it. That means carry it and keep it accessible. Teach yourself how to use it. And arm your loved ones.
Build/Maintain a Secret & Loyal Network: In the days of the Founders, the Freemasons or your local (Protestant) church served that purpose. Today, it’s more than likely going to be your family. You may also have close longtime friends who are of the same mind as you. Trust your family and/or network more than the government, the news cycle, academia, or AI. In other words, trust those you love over those you don’t know.
Live Not by Lies (Rod Dreher’s book title): Refuse to lie about gender, abortion, or the totalitarian Left’s tactics to undermine America. This is what Charlie Kirk did exceptionally well. Call out the lies publicly.
Be Brave: Face the enemy. Speak up and speak out. Boldness creates boldness. Refuse to cower. Stand up for your beliefs. Join an organization. Donate money. Volunteer.
And yes, pray.
This is a clear analysis of a complex and multi-faceted program designed to keep the world in check.
This is very helpful. Nails down a lot of the things that have been in the back of my mind since Wednesday.