Evangelicals Honor Governing Authorities: What Scripture Requires of Believers

Modern Evangelical discourse has revealed a troubling inconsistency, most especially in the Negro professing Church. It is as if parishioners have convinced themselves that God will wink and nod at this little foible, as God judges on a curve.

Many professing believers claim deep commitment to the authority of Scripture. Yet when the subject turns to political leaders—particularly Donald Trump—that commitment often evaporates. I fear that many will leave time and space and encounter Jesus Christ only to hear Him say, "Depart from Me."

Submission is one of the clearest markers to demonstrate transformation.

A wife who openly mocks her biblical mandate to submit should have no legitimate basis for assurance. A young person, still living at home with their parent has no legitimate basis for assurance.

A man who refuses to submit to pastoral leadership in the local church has no legitimate basis for assurance.

Open Bible illuminated with light symbolizing biblical authority.

Instead of restraint, honor, or biblical sobriety, what frequently emerges is open contempt, ridicule, and accusations of racism that are often asserted without serious evidence.

For Evangelicals who claim the Bible as their authority, this posture demands serious examination.

Why Evangelicals Honor Governing Authorities According to Scripture

Paul commanded submission to authorities even during the reign of Nero.

The Apostle Paul wrote one of the most important passages on civil authority in Romans 13:1-2:

“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.”

This statement carries enormous weight and is no mere pedantic suggestion reserved for mature Evangelicals.

Paul did not write this during the reign of a virtuous Christian leader, so I do not want to hear any foolish notion that Christ-followers have a special situation on their hands. My brothers in oppressive Russia or China have the same obligation that I do, living in Democratic America.

He wrote it while Nero ruled the Roman Empire, a man remembered for persecution, cruelty, and moral corruption.

Yet Paul still commanded believers to submit to governing authorities.

This instruction was rooted in a theological truth: God sovereignly ordains authority structures.

Peter’s Command: Honor the Emperor

Biblical authority must shape how believers respond to political leaders.

The Apostle Peter echoed the same principle.

1 Peter 2:17 states:

“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

Again, the Emperor during Peter’s writing was Nero, and he was vile, crass, and most immoral.

If believers were commanded to honor a ruler like Nero, the command cannot be contingent upon whether we personally admire a leader.

It is rooted in reverence for God.

Disagreement Is Not the Issue

Scripture does not forbid criticism of political leaders.

The prophets routinely rebuked kings when those kings violated God’s law.

However, there is a profound difference between prophetic rebuke and personal contempt.

The modern Evangelical habit of mockery, slander, and emotional hostility toward political leaders reflects more of the spirit of modern political culture than the spirit of Scripture.

The Problem of Selective Biblical Obedience

A deeper issue lies beneath the surface.

Many Evangelicals insist that the Bible governs doctrine, morality, and church life.

Yet when political passions rise, the authority of Scripture suddenly becomes negotiable.

This selective obedience undermines the very claim that Scripture is our final authority.

If Evangelicals are serious about biblical authority, the commands of Scripture must apply even when obedience is uncomfortable.

Recovering a Biblical Doctrine of Honor

Recovering biblical faithfulness requires remembering a simple truth:

Evangelicals honor authorities because they honor God.

The biblical principle remains clear: Evangelicals honor governing authorities because they ultimately seek to honor the God who ordains those authorities.

This does not mean blind loyalty. It does not forbid principled disagreement.

But it does mean believers must reject the culture of contempt that now dominates political discourse.

Evangelicals cannot claim allegiance to Scripture while ignoring its commands when those commands become inconvenient.

If you find my content God-glorifying and Man-edifying, the best way you can bless me as I humbly seek to bless you is to be an active participant. Active participants comment on the blog post (personal notes to me, while nice and encouraging, do not help my blog post grow) and share my content with their networks on platforms such as X and Facebook.

Thank you in advance to those who support my ministry. Make no mistake: I see what I do as ministry. It is how and why I spend considerable time and energy producing blogs and YouTube videos. I do so to complete my fourth-quarter strong for the name and majesty of Jesus the Christ, my Lord & Savior, period, full-stop, and end of story.

As always, keep your hands to the plow and seek to serve for an Audience of One.

With fear & trembling,

Ricky V Kyles Sr. DEd.Min.