The Ten Commandments for Christian Advocacy
By: Lori Kuykendal
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
Commit to honor God in all situations. Offer your work as a living sacrifice to Him as your spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1-2). Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:3).
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol.
Flee from the idols of pride, political gain, and the praise of man. Even our children can be idols. Keep priority of eternal perspective and offer your time, talent and treasure to eternal purposes.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
Refrain from “playing the God card” for your position. Don’t call your position “God’s position.” Enter into healthy discourse and disagreement and honor God’s name by how you speak and act. As Christians, it is His name and reputation that is on the line, not ours.
4. Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.
Rest and let God work. Take time to pray and reset yourself under His sovereignty. Balance your time. Care for yours and your family’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Do you work, then leave the results in God’s hands.
5. Honor your father and mother.
Act in a way that brings honor to your family. Speak in a way that you would speak if your parents (or children) were watching. Bring a good name to your family. Model healthy, positive marriage and family life to our watching world.
6. You shall not murder.
Jesus said, “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” and “Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell” (Matthew 5:22). Refrain from speaking in contempt to others, but rather encourage and speak life. Serve and respect those whom you support and those whom you don’t.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
Jesus said adultery begins in the heart (Matthew 5:28). Guard your marriage. Walk in integrity at all times. Don’t use physical attraction or charm to manipulate. Keep your primary roles- marriage and family- primary.
8. You shall not steal.
Don’t interrupt others- and steal their time or platform. Don’t dishonor others- and steal their reputation or defame their character. Don’t discredit or disrespect. Be a “giver” and a servant. Encourage one another and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
9. You shall not give false testimony.
Speak objective, proven, verified truth. Distinguish between fact and opinion and share your opinion with clarity and compassion with respect to the facts. Guard against exaggeration, speculation, and manipulation. Let your “yes” be “yes” (Matthew 5:37).
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Flee from jealousy and selfish motives. Purify your heart and Reposture your work to be a blessing to others. May people and the process benefit from your participation. Celebrate others' successes. Consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3).
In Mark 12, Jesus was asked “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Later He told the story of the Good Samaritan to teach who our neighbor is, and He further commanded us to “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).
Hebrews 13:17 calls us to “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
We have an incredible opportunity- both a freedom and a responsibility- to engage in the political process as set forth by our country’s founding fathers in a manner set forth by our Heavenly Father. May we do so in a way that is both a service to our statesmen and women, and an extension of our calling and service to God’s name and His Kingdom.
Reprinted with permission ~Lori Kuykendal, Beacon Health Education Resources, 2022
CHRISTIANS ENGAGED NEEDS YOU!
Would you consider partnering with us as a monthly donor to support the work of our nonprofit ministry? Or maybe a generous one-time donation?