Bible Devotions for Living

Be on guard from being influenced by political or public figures:

Then He commanded them: “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” (Mk 8:15 – underline added)

Jesus issued the warning to His people not to be influenced by Herod. Now, the Herod to whom He was referring was Herod Antipas who was the king at that time over the Jews while under Rome. Herod Antipas is known for being immoral, making political maneuvers, and compromising ethical and spiritual values for personal gain and prestige.

Jesus was warning His people not to follow Herod’s ways, politics, or propaganda since they were hypocritical and evil.

The same warning holds true to God’s people today. You need to be careful not to be deceived and influenced by political leaders at any level in government. Before you jump to say you aren’t, consider history. The ancient Israelites were greatly influenced in their behavior and worship of God based on their king of the moment. As you read the books Kings in the Bible, you will see that as the king went, so the Israelites went. If the king was godly the people followed the Lord, if he was evil the people were too.  

When the Lord tore Israel from the house of David, Israel made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam led Israel away from following the Lord and caused them to commit great sin. (2 Ki 17:21)

Now the word of the Lord came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha: ² “Because I raised you up from the dust and made you ruler over My people Israel, but you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have caused My people Israel to sin …” (1 Ki 16:1-2)

This happened because of all the sins of Baasha and those of his son Elah, which they committed and caused Israel to commit … (1 Ki 16:13)

The statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house have been observed; you have followed their policies. Therefore, I will make you a desolate place and the city’s residents an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of My people.” (Micah 6:16)

More recent examples in U.S. history are Bill Clinton in the 1990’s who vetoed a ban on late term abortions and convinced people it was the right thing to do, or George W. Bush who convinced people that Islam was a peaceful religion after 9/11, and the many others who have convinced the masses that homosexuality is okay and should be applauded.

Be on guard against the rhetoric, laws, and policies of politicians today since most are ungodly and are professing programs that are against Biblical values. Most are unsaved and many hate God and His ways and are trying to influence you to buy into sin. Consider Herod and his followers again. Herod hated Jesus as much as the Pharisees and wanted to kill Him (Lk 13:31). He and his followers (the Herodians) worked with the Pharisees to kill the Lord (Mk 3:6; Mk 12:13: Mt 22:15). Just like Herod, many U.S. politicians show their hatred of God and His ways with more and more legislation and policies that are contrary to Scripture. Be careful not to be influenced by them. Keep in mind that a politician’s job is to influence and ‘lead’ people and country in a particular direction.

Do not be influenced away from Scriptural by political leaders or anybody else. Weigh all they say, do, and implement against Scripture. Don’t follow any public figure like a blind sheep because following could be sinful and devastating to you. Think for yourself, test their thinking, policies, and even lifestyle against Scripture.

⁸ Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. (Col 2:8)

¹¹ And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. (Eph 4:11-14)

Instead of imitating and following their sinful practices and worldly thoughts, imitate Jesus and follow His policies and lifestyle.

Think about it

Do you agree that politicians can shape society by what they say as much as their legislation?

Are you being influenced by politicians? What about other public influencers like celebrities, sports figures, and online influencers?

Are you following the practices and policies of somebody that you shouldn’t be?

Do you jump on board with a mindset, position, or attitude with a public figure simply because you like them or they ‘sound’ good?

Do you test the things they say, what they do, and their policies against Scripture to see if it is right?

Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. (Col 2:8)