Measure Your Convictions Twice

January 26, 2026

What should a Christian seeking to think and live with Biblical integrity make of immigration, ICE, protests, and the resulting violence in the United States today?

In any situation, it is important to work from first principles. This means that right thinking begins with core truths that can be applied to any and all possible problems. As God created the world, His revealed word – the Bible – is where these principles and truths are found. Often this entails harmonizing different passages as they present a multifaceted picture reflecting the complexity of real life. For example:

·       It isn’t right to murder (Exodus 20:13)

·       The death penalty is just for those who commit murder (Genesis 9:6, Leviticus 24:17)

·       Administering capital punishment requires two independent witnesses (Numbers 35:30, Deuteronomy 19:15)

Being faithful to scripture, one cannot say “you can never kill someone.” Nor can you say, “I think that man killed someone; that is enough for the death penalty.” This illustrates that there is no internal contradiction in scripture, and that God has given His people a depth of revealed truth by which to live and govern.

Regarding the current state of affairs stemming from immigration enforcement, the Christian perspective is not as simple as “Romans 13 says the government is from God, so those protesters got what they deserve.” Neither can it be said that “loving your neighbor means that there shouldn’t be borders.”

Although the following is not exhaustive regarding concepts or applicable references, here are some things Christians endeavoring to think Biblically about this crucial topic must keep in mind:

·       All humans are image bearers of God deserving to be treated with dignity. Genesis 1:27, 9:6

·       Borders and policies governing who may or may not cross them are defining characteristics of nationhood. Isaiah 19:19-25, Acts 17:26

·       There is righteousness in caring for those who seek asylum from hostile nations. Leviticus 23:22, Zechariah 7:10

·       Those who violate the law, irrespective of their citizenship status, should expect consequences. Leviticus 20:2, Romans 13:4

·       The magistrate (branches of government, law enforcement, etc.) should wield their power patiently and honorably, even when it may necessitate force. Deuteronomy 17:19-20, Romans 13:1-4

·       Interfering with true worship of the living God is not only illegal by the law of the land, but it is a dangerous act in the eyes of the Lord. Matthew 18:6, John 2:13-25

·       There is wisdom in waiting for facts to be confirmed before speaking authoritatively on any matter. Romans 12:19, Proverbs 18:17

Also:

·       In the United States, protest is a protected form of expression.

·       Vulgarity, obstruction of others’ lives, and violence may be tolerated by the culture, but are not appropriate within the first amendment’s intended framework.

With that in mind, the question remains: What should a Christian seeking to think and live with Biblical integrity make of immigration, ICE, protests, and the resulting violence in the United States today?

Here are some formulations that reflect Biblical consistency:

·       Undoubtedly there have been reckless tragedies because of heightened tensions, and much of that could be avoided with less rhetoric from politicians and influential voices on either side of the aisle.

·       Our immigration system is broken. It is a strain on federal and state budgets, it has been a significant source of narcotics entering the country, and it incentivizes risk-taking for already marginalized people.

·       We must be on guard for ethnic prejudice that “gives a pass” to certain groups seeking to enter the USA while strongly scrutinizing others. This does not mean turning a blind eye to those coming from enemy states, but neither does it mean stereotyping entire cultures and making legal entry unobtainable.

·       All humans are steered by bias. Had either or both of the two high profile deaths been reversed (an ICE officer instead of a protester), everyone who has been vocal should have the honesty to admit that their arguments would be just as adamant – only with the alterations needed to defend their paradigm.

·       Law enforcement officials are not above reproach. Even when situations are hostile, gross missteps demand investigation, judicial process, and justice.

·       Protesters are not immune to criticism. Vandalism often hurts those the protesters are ostensibly championing. Sinful retaliation has no excuse, but no one should be surprised when purposeful antagonization results in retaliation.

·       We can’t know everything about what we see on television or on social media. We certainly can’t discern motives of people who are kept away from the spotlight, let alone the deceased. Recent history provides many examples of the media and the government rushing to judgment and/or lying to people in the United States.

·       The only true solution is Jesus: knees bent to Him as Savior and King.

This list could go on and on. Faithful Christians may alter the language slightly or significantly on any the above statements. But the aforementioned first principles must be considered before consulting personal preferences, political allegiances, or what it takes to be a part of the present moment’s in-crowd. And they must be consulted before parroting or “liking” a perspective that claims to be Christian.

Much more could be said on this topic. But the most appropriate and consistent thing to do is to turn once more to the word of God. Our thoughts and our convictions should be measured twice before they are spoken once. And the perfect standard is possessed by the one who sees us and knows us, minds and hearts:

O Yahweh, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Yahweh, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And You have put Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
Psalm 139:1-6