Evangelicals & Lawlessness, Romans 13, and the Judgment of God

Introduction: Why This Must Be Said

For those blinded and enslaved to the Adversary, the accompanying video will never move the needle. Nevertheless, it must be posted. No one within my sphere of influence will ever be able to say they were not warned of the eternal consequences of rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior when they end up in eternal Hellfire.

This is not merely about one incident. It is about biblical authority, the Rule of Law, and the moral collapse now normalized—even within churches.

The False Narrative of “Peaceful Protest”

Several self-professing Christ-followers flooded my social media page with moral outrage over the death of Pretti. Yet the video evidence demonstrates plainly that Pretti was not a peaceful protester exercising First Amendment rights.

Let's not sugarcoat the obvious. Pretti was an agitator—actively engaging federal agents lawfully executing their duties.

This distinction matters. Scripture does not defend chaos masquerading as conscience.

Reaping and Sowing Is Not Optional

The Word of God is explicit:

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”— Galatians 6:7

Jesus Himself warned Peter:

“All who take the sword will perish by the sword.”— Matthew 26:52

Biblical justice is not sentimental. It is moral, ordered, and rooted in accountability.

Evangelicals and Romans 13: The Rejection of God’s Order

God inspired the Apostle Paul to write that every person is subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1–4). This passage does not grant moral exemptions for political passion, ideological grievance, or emotional outrage. The relationship between Evangelicals and Romans 13 has never been more urgent, particularly as growing segments of the Church openly question biblical submission to governing authorities.

Yet many who rushed to defend Pretti—some of whom attend local churches—displayed a shocking disregard for Scripture. They exemplify Jeremiah’s rebuke of a people who have lost the ability to blush (Jeremiah 6:15).

The unavoidable question is this: Have they read Romans 13—and if so, why did it restrain nothing they said or did?

Aggression Has Consequences

The video shows, for all with eyes to see, that Pretti acted aggressively, maliciously, and volitionally toward ICE agents. He was not a passive bystander. He was not morally neutral. He was an active participant in the disorder. When a grown man chooses to vandalize a government vehicle—kicking out its taillights—he invites consequences.

“For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”— Romans 13:4

I have no sympathy for lawlessness baptized as righteousness.

Political Rhetoric and Moral Responsibility

Governor Tim Walz, along with the Minneapolis Mayor, has recklessly and morally shamefully inflamed public disorder through irresponsible rhetoric. Words have consequences.

I submit that this climate of moral license explains precisely why we see behavior like Pretti’s—emboldened citizens acting as though rebellion carries no cost. No true follower of Jesus Christ grants sanction to lawlessness. None. They rebuke it without caveats—without “yes, but” qualifications.

A Crisis of Faithfulness

Those defending this behavior speak as though they may do so with impunity. I do not regard such individuals as genuine believers. Likewise, I do not regard Charles Dates as a true man of God or a faithful Christian witness.

True believers do not promote anarchy. They argue unapologetically for the Rule of Law as an expression of God’s ordained order.

Conclusion: Judgment and Apostasy

This moral confusion and intellectual dishonesty explain why I conclude the following:

• America is under the judgment of Almighty God.

• The African American Church has apostatized writ large.

• And no Evangelical seeking to remain faithful to the Word of God can, in good conscience, align with the Democratic Party as it is presently constituted—period. Full stop. End of story.

With fear & trembling,

Ricky V Kyles Sr. DEd.Min