A Reflection on America's Spiritual Shift
Has Our Nation Taken Pride Too Far?
Has a nation changed its gods,
even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
for that which does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
be shocked, be utterly desolate,
declares the LORD,
for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.Jeremiah 2:11-13
While the primary context of this passage relates to the historical nation of Israel, I can’t help thinking about America and our nation’s current attitude towards God. While there may be differing viewpoints on whether the U.S. can truly be categorized as a "Christian nation," it remains undeniable that throughout its history, our country has actively sought the guidance and blessings from the God of the Bible.
However, in our current era, there has been a noticeable shift in focus, where the LGBTQIA++ movement has emerged as a prominent influence and, in some ways, assumed the role of a new deity. This is evident not only in societal trends and conversations but also in recent events that highlight the movement's growing prominence and its impact on cultural norms.
If we seek evidence of America's shifting values, we need look no further than the recent Pride Month display at the White House. The prominent placement of the rainbow flag amidst two American flags conveys a powerful message regarding our current societal values.
Even the flag display violated our U.S. Flag Code Section 7(e), which requires the American flag to be the focus of any display featuring multiple flags or pennants. The placement of the LGBTQIA++ flag at the center of the exhibit begs the question. What is most important to our nation right now?
Moreover, during the event, a few guests in attendance openly flaunted their sexual freedom. In one notable instance, a transgender woman (a person born male) boldly showcased his artificial breasts in a social media post, although he managed to obscure them with his hands. Other transgender men (people born female) removed their shirts to celebrate their top surgeries (removal of healthy breasts), displaying their surgical scars proudly.
To compound matters, the President himself took to his Twitter account, affirming that “America is a nation of Pride.” While this statement may seem harmless on the surface, it carries spiritual implications that warrant careful consideration. James 4:6 is a poignant reminder, “God opposes the proud but gives strength to the humble.” A nation adopting a stance of pride over humility is walking on dangerous spiritual ground.
Sadly, many Christians have long held back their voices, fearing backlash or avoiding confrontation. Yet, like Jeremiah, I believe we are called to speak out. We are called to proclaim the truth, even if it means facing cancellation, rejection, or suppression. When we withhold our voices we are still making statements.
Like Dietrich Bonhoeffer boldly stated, “Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
It’s important to understand that my perspective doesn’t stem from hatred towards individuals who identify as gay, queer, homosexual, bisexual, or transgender (although differing opinions are often misconstrued as phobic or hateful). And my purpose is not to advocate for the censorship of the people that I disagree with. Rather, I want to encourage fellow Christians to speak up for morality and truth in the United States.
Remember, the individuals with whom we disagree with are not our enemies; rather, they are victims. They have fallen prey to the deception of the great adversary, Satan. He is the true enemy we face, the one who seeks to distort truth and lead people away from God. And while our battle against the forces of evil starts with prayer, it is equally important for Christians to boldly speak out, just as Jeremiah did. We have a responsibility to call our nation to repentance and to share the transformative love of Christ in a way that upholds truth.
We must remember that only through the sacrificial love and redeeming blood of Jesus can those who are deceived find salvation. It is by His grace that we ourselves were once saved. Therefore, our approach should be characterized by compassion, understanding, and a sincere desire to bring others into the light of God's truth.