Understanding the Political Mountain
By Dr. Shawn Patrick Williams
We are at a political tipping point in the United States of America. Jesus Christ told the church to “occupy” until He comes and it is part of the church’s “Great Commission” to go into all the world and make disciples. That directive was articulated in the seven mountains strategy that Campus Crusade founder Bill Bright received in 1975, confirmed by other prolific voices in the Body.
These seven mountains are business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family and religion. It is so phenomenally critical for the church to have a sound biblical understanding of the political climate of our nation and what our stance should be as a Body and a believer when we are assessing the political mountain of culture. There has not been such a vicious and divisive political climate that I’m aware of for the past sixty-five years. Not only has this year’s election been dividing the political parties, but it has brought division in the Body of Christ. A house divided cannot stand! I know people are angry about the current state of America’s government. How do we navigate through all of the rhetoric and noise coming from the media? How do we understand our duty as the New Testament church?
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
-1 Timothy 2:1-8 (KJV)
I am convinced that the failed results of the past eight years that the political mountain has produced , is directly because the majority of the church spent more time complaining about the current administration, instead of following the biblical instruction to lift our leaders up in prayer, even if we do not like them or agree with them. A follower of Christ must resolve not to get caught up in political drama. People in all parties should be affected by godly character and deep commitment to pray for the governmental leaders. Throughout the history of the church God has placed His people around totalitarian governments and difficult political atmospheres for the very purpose of having their prayers change the governmental mountains of the day.
To gain a deeper understanding of this dynamic, we must grasp the commission of those who are sent to the governmental realm with a kingdom assignment. God has sent many over the centuries to be a “voice of change” and a “root of righteousness” in world powers. God had Daniel influence the shape of Babylon. The Lord used Paul to impact Rome and the entire known world. Moses was a tool God used to shut one nation down and re-birth another. Ultimately Father God sent Jesus to carry the government upon His shoulders.
Let’s look to Moses for a few examples of the commission to the mountain of government. Moses was raised in the known ruler of the world’s house in order to navigate in that established governmental system, but sent to deliver God’s people from the bondage that that same system produced. The most interesting thing is Moses was not received by either party.
”And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? Intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.”
-Exodus 2:14 (KJV)
In context, Moses started to mobilize into his mountain for the first time and that’s when the attack and identity crisis came. “What party is he really for? Is he trying to deceive us? How can we trust someone that has Egypt in his political DNA?” All of these questions came to life as he stepped into the realm of government. I want to make it clear that I am not endorsing any candidate in this article.
If you are a believer that feels the call to this governmental mountain, you too will be challenged in these same areas. You will be attacked with all the temptations of idolatry, and your spiritual identity will be tested. You will have to learn to eat lunch with an enemy, but have a resolve to bring the Kingdom into new territory. You will need to be rooted and grounded in your spiritual DNA, in order to not take on a party DNA, as your true source of guidance. The difficult thing will be establishing the kingdom within the party to which you are assigned. There must be believers commissioned in this mountain in order to occupy it! Ignoring the responsibility of the church to influence this mountain would be a grave injustice. Separation of church and state was instituted to keep government out of church, not to keep believers of government. The first Congress in 1776 was a prayer session.
We must understand two critical things. 1. God can use and has used evil kings to establish His purposes under the sun. Do not fret about who gets elected or who does not. He used king Cyrus, Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar for His purposes. God is still the King of kings and Lord of lords. 2. A believer has an obligation to pray for those in government and the responsibility to research the men of God in this political mountain and vote for the candidate that they feel the Holy Spirit has led them to support.
When you vote, vote your morals. Vote guided by biblical truth. Vote your convictions. Above all, pray for all parties and government leaders so we can see unity and a spiritual awakening in our nation!
Gathering the Harvest and Advancing His Kingdom,
Dr. Shawn Patrick Williams
Founder Warrior Nations Intl. Ministries
www.warriornations.org
864-227-0508
Recognized nationally and internationally as an end time evangelist, Shawn Patrick has traveled to 23 nations and ministered in 26 denominations. He has also authored several books. He passionately speaks each year through radio, TV, conferences, festivals, concerts, churches and international crusades. He has a Doctor of Divinity from Day Spring University and was ordained as a bishop in 2009 and is ordained in the IPHC. He then launched Warrior Nation Fellowship, which is an apostolic network. He is founder of the apostolic training centers called i3, which is his base in Greenwood, SC with his wife Christy and their four children.
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