The first presidential debate was held this past week. Debates are traditionally supposed to help us wrestle with the issues and determine which candidate is worthy of our support. As I’ve done for most debates over the past 40 years, I tuned in and watched intently – but there was nothing “traditional” about this one. I found my blood pressure rising and my nerves on edge. As it went on, I began conducting a running analysis of what “could/should have been said”. There was no decorum or civility. Anything substantial regarding viewpoints, positions, or policies were hard to discern through the constant feuding, bickering, and berating. After watching, I found myself tied up in knots and deeply concerned about the degeneration of leadership in our country.

Election season can keep us on edge, wondering and waiting and worrying about who will be elected. It causes some to lay aside other endeavors in order to devote more time and effort to support their candidate’s victory. However, therein lies the problem. It is too tempting for Christians to bite their nails, watch the constant barrage from the newsfeed and become too highly invested in the outcome of the political arena. Now I’m not advocating that Christians should be un-involved in the political process or refrain from exercising the rights given to us by our government, but rather that there should be NO DEBATE as to who must win over our fear, anxiety, politics, time, and attention (i.e. everything) – Jesus Christ.

In Deuteronomy 20:5-9 we find commanding officers preparing their troops for battle. No doubt that many details about strategy, movements, and the battle plan needed to be understood. However, here we find not an inspiring speech, not an explanation of the latest strategic offensive maneuver, but rather the officers telling some of their troops to go home! The military (and the church for that matter) spends much time and effort on recruitment and a lot of time and effort took place to get those troops to the battlefield. Yet God had a point to be made in excusing these people. Namely, that those who are going to be in God’s army must have His cause as their priority. They can not be a useful soldier (or disciple) when they are distracted or burdened by domestic affairs or the things of this life. God only could utilize those in His army who had their focus on Him alone.

There should be no debate as to who should prevail in us, through us, and for us. Jesus Christ must always rise to pre-eminence in our lives for us to be effective in His army. When you become too distracted, worried, or invested in the political process, you are essentially “voting” for the wrong candidate. Remember, we are in a spiritual war and “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life.” (2 Timothy 2:4) Keep Jesus Christ first. He is our commander in chief. He’s already won the victory and will return as King of Kings very soon. When that happens, there will be NO DEBATE – Jesus Christ is the winner!