Refusing to Consent to Lies

There is a general moral principle that must govern our response to public affairs, including this week's elections.

It is wrong to signal our consent to lies, falsehoods, or the propriety of evil. One might ask, how does this principle direct our conduct in politics, voting, and elections?

There are ready examples of people who have followed this moral principle, and suffered because of it. For example, Jack Phillips and Barronelle Stutzman will not consent to the falsehood of so-called "gay marriage" by making cakes or arranging flowers to celebrate such an evil thing.

For a believer to concede, or indicate his agreement, that such a thing as "gay marriage" can exist, or is moral or right, it to signal consent to such wickedness.

Yet there is a dreadful cost in not doing so. In Mr. Phillips and Mrs. Stutzman's cases, they have been almost completely destroyed by their obedience to God's Word in this matter. Their businesses have been ruined, they have suffered as outcasts of society, they have been picketed, and they have been hounded in the courts.

Yet how few sermons we have heard urging believers to separate from the consent to falsehood and agreement with evil in such cases?

Christians must examine everything we do and say, to see whether we are signaling approval of lies or wickedness.

Preachers and churches have mostly failed to to preach these truths about our practical and public conduct.

Is that because we fear having to pay the price for refusing to give consent and refusing to signal agreement on these matters?

We fear we will lose our jobs, won't be able to work in our chosen fields, will be ridiculed, drummed out of society.