Let not a slanderer be established in the earth;
Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

Psalm 140:11 NKJV

Last year was one of the best years of our lives because it brought us the biggest blessing, Joshua Isaac.  Unfortunately, Joshua was born in the same year Donald Trump decided it would be a brilliant idea to run for the most important job of the nation, the President of the United States.  At first, his campaign promised us an entertaining season of TV comedy and SNL-type skits that would make everyone LOL. But no one’s laughing now…

Nine months after announcing his candidacy, Trump is now the front-runner of the Republican race and WE are all wondering how this happened.

(NOTE:  the ‘we’ excludes his “poorly-educated supporters”– this is what he called some of his followers after winning the Nevada caucus).

It took Donald Trump to end my blogging sabbatical. Last post I made was nearly 3 years ago (yikes!), but I can’t stay silent on this topic. This post is directed towards my fellow Christian brothers & sisters who will be participating in the upcoming elections.  We must pray for God’s guidance in this decision and we must be careful in selecting a candidate whose character is questionable and indecent for the Oval Office.  IF in the past, we’ve been offended with inappropriate behaviors of past Presidents and government officials we didn’t support, what makes us think supporting someone with the same reputation will be any different?  I will not be endorsing anyone on this post, but I will be very vocal about who isn’t getting my support– and that’s Mr. Trump.  

When David was anointed King, the Lord said He doesn’t look at the outward appearance, but the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).  As tempting as it is to make fun of Trump’s hair or his tiny hands, what should concern us is his character.  The rhetoric spoken by politicians and the media has been disappointing and unsubstantial.  Many evangelicals justify their support of Trump by saying they are voting for the next Commander-in-Chief, not a Pastor-in-Chief.  However, presidential candidates in past elections have been criticized for their religion or lack thereof.  In the 2012 presidential election, nearly half evangelical voters (4/10) were uncomfortable with the idea of voting for a Mormon candidate.  Many also opine that Obama is not a Christian or not Christian enough; nearly half of the Republican voters (49%) believe he is Muslim.  Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has stated he is non-religious, but culturally identifies himself as Jewish, but loses on the Evangelical support because he is not a believer.  Hillary Clinton  is perceived by voters as “somewhat religious.”  Two-thirds of  Democrats believe she is religious, while two-thirds of Republicans believe the opposite. Yet when questions arise about Donald Trump’s faith, we are quicker to defend him because he claims he is “one of ours” and is running under the Republican ticket. He’s also had tremendous backing from influential Christian leaders.  If Donald Trump was running under the Democratic ticket, would he be getting the same support?  Are we, Christians, identifying ourselves with party politics more than our faith?

We cannot have it both ways.  We cannot say “I’ll never vote for a non-Christian,” but then support Donald Trump who became a Christian to gain supporters.  We must research each candidate, not just their platform but also their character.  All candidates have flaws and no one will have an untarnished history, but these following characteristics are the qualities I look for in a leader.  Unfortunately, Trump doesn’t meet my criteria.

Please, to those who support him, I’m not condemning you or Donald Trump.  I’m sure he can be a nice guy and I’m sure you can be too.  I’ve seen the videos of him with his family, it looks like he really loves them and I’m sure he does an incredible job running some of his businesses.  It takes a lot of discipline to do what he does, but when running for the highest position of leadership in this nation, there must be a standard.  This happens to be mine:

The Servant Leader

“…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Leadership is hard!  Leadership is a calling.  Being a leader means having to deal with feelings of isolation and loneliness because leaders are not well-liked by everyone.  Being a leader means having every word dissected by those who follow him/her.  Leaders must lead with integrity knowing that at times they will be dealing with accusations and they must keep going with their goal without always having to defend their reputation. However, if those accusations turn out to be true, the leader should step forward and accept the consequences.

“If you approach the world with the apron of a servant, then you are allowed to go places that you can’t go if you approach it with the crown of a king.” Jon Foreman

Leadership isn’t always leading the way out of chaos.  The leader normally stays behind to ensure his/her people are protected and safe.  Leaders sacrifice; they don’t demand special preference because “they are more important” or in a higher position.  Donald Trump has spoken with a focus on himself.  He’s the only one who can save the country.  He’s the smartest one and he has the highest IQ, he says.  His egotistical speeches bring me to my next attribute…

The Humble Leader

“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

Every time Trump is on TV, he only talks about how he will “make America great again.”  According to him, America needs Trump to “win, win, win.”  He’s always bragging about his victories and how high on the polls he continues to be.  Even if he were to shoot one of his supporters, he said, he would still win the Republican nomination and I’m starting to believe this dangerous notion.  When he is asked how he will make America great again, he goes on a rant about what a successful businessman he is and how much people love him.  Egotistical Trump doesn’t hide his greed, in fact, he glorifies it!  He’s always boasting about how much money he has and he’s the only one self-funding his campaign.  In Trump’s mind, he doesn’t need anyone because Trump relies solely on Trump.  When it’s time to elect officials in his cabinet, he says, he will bring the best of the best because they will be picked by him.  What happened to the Matthew 5, the Beatitudes?… remember, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”  or Proverbs 16:8, “Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest…” and finally in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evil…”

“Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.” Proverbs 21:6

There’s nothing wrong with his wealth; but when he makes it the center of his campaign, he’s only proving how much he loves his own money.  He’s admitted he’s donated millions to various politicians because that’s how he makes them do what he wishes.  This only means he’s also contributed to the corruption of the government, but he still claims the politicians are the only problem.

The Fruitful Leader

In Galatians 5:22-23, we are given a list of qualities our faith produces: love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Having seriously considered joining the band wagon and voting for Trump at some point, I listened to his speeches and debates.  There are statements he’s made that are not completely out of touch and have resonated with me, but his tone isn’t loving, joyful, peaceful, kind, good, etc.  His speeches lack self-control and gentleness yet he is praised for his boldness.  He recently quoted Mussolini, “It is better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep.”  Jesus is the Lamb of God and exemplified meekness in His leadership as a human and is still alive in our hearts beyond 100 years!   Moreover, there’s no substance, no plans in how Trump wants to achieve his promises… there’s no fruit!  He has been known for mocking women, the disabled, immigrants, and the list goes on.  Even if he didn’t mean to insult, we need to consider the facts and listen to those who oppose him and how he’s made them feel.  Instead of bringing people together, he has done nothing but to cause more division.  Politics is divisive as it is and we are better off with someone who is able to demonstrate these qualities, even if we don’t agree with them 100% on the issues.  He is running to lead the country, not just his supporters.  So far, he’s even done a terrible job in leading his followers…

“If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself and your religion is worthless.” James 1:26

Just take a look at his rallies!  He’s been telling his own people to punch opponents in the face and he will take care of the lawsuits.   He name-calls anyone who opposes him and ridicules them.  Recently, protesters infiltrated one of his rallies and there was major chaos that led Trump to cancel his rally in Chicago.  Mr. Trump has been blaming the protesters but has not admitted responsibility for what he’s said several times in his rallies.  This brings me to my next attribute…

The Repentant Leader

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” Matthew 3:8

“If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”  1 John 1:10

According to Trump, he is never wrong.  Even when he’s apologized, he does it with smart remark following his apology.  This is the same man who has admitted he doesn’t need to ask God for forgiveness.  Repentance is not just for leaders; repentance is for everyone.  He justifies what he says and how he acts with being angry.  The Bible teaches us to “be angry, and do not sin.”  What are we doing with our anger?  Anger should not justify our poor decisions; the end doesn’t justify the means…

“Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.” Ecclesiastes 7:9

“Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” James 1:20

Going back to his rallies, I don’t believe he should get all the blame because those protesters are just as responsible for disrupting his event.  If anything, the protesters are only proving his point… However, he has created a toxic environment where he has invited this kind of behavior.  He is to blame for fueling his supporters in returning violence and revenge to those “crazy lefties.”

“Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger.” Proverbs 29:8

When he instructs his followers to react to any protester, whether they are being violent or peaceful, he is giving them permission to sin in their anger.  He could have been joking when he’s encouraged violence, but were his followers aware he was joking?  Unfortunately, when you speak to masses of people, leaders must be sensitive to their audience.  As much as he claims to be politically incorrect, there still has to be sensitivity to the words he uses because they will have influence in someone who may not receive it the way it was meant to be communicated.   The truth is, people are offended and this shouldn’t be ignored in order to disprove political correctness.  Instead, a leader will listen to what everyone has to say and apologize when he/she made a mistake.

“Some people make cutting remarks but the words of the wise bring healing.” Proverbs 12:18

“Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king.” Ecclesiastes 9:17

In no way I’m condemning Donald Trump, but he hasn’t proven to me he’s able to ask for forgiveness in midst of all his feuds with everyone he’s offended.  Some of you might think he doesn’t have to prove anything to me or anyone.  Oh, but he does!  If he wants my vote, he has to prove to me he’s the right leader.  He has to prove to all the people he’s offended, as well,  that he is worthy of their vote.  But he hasn’t and he says he will not.

The Hopeful Leader

“O Israel, trust the Lord!  He is your helper and your shield.” Psalms 115:9

As a Christian, it all comes back to this.  We trust God as he is our helper and our shield, yet we continue to blindly follow empty promises of politicians.  I appreciate Donald Trump wanting to protect America from terrorism and evil, but we can’t trust him to fulfill this if we truly believe God is the one who is really in control.  Most of his supporters believe he is the only one who can protect us.  I’m assuming there are plenty of evangelicals who believe this, yet this notion is misguided and dangerous.  Trump is simply manipulating his supporters’ deepest fears to gain their votes. There is no hope in his message.

As someone who personally struggles with fear, it is the most debilitating and crippling emotion anyone could ever feel. In the past, I’ve avoided places because of suspicion there might be an incident.  I can probably write about my fears in extent, but I will not as it will completely deviate from my point here, which is: I cannot support a man who inspires the one emotion I’m trying to run from! 

After spending time in prayer and in the Word, that’s how I concluded with my stance.  I’m not saying you shouldn’t support him; but as a fellow Christian, my hope is to challenge you to pray and ask God for guidance in this decision.  I’ve stayed away from stating my opinion in social media because of the hostility that exists, but I couldn’t keep silent anymore.  I hope just like I respect your opinions, you are able to respect mine.

I’m still open and willing to continue to listen to Trump in hopes he changes his tone and really explain his positions, just as I continue to listen to everyone else from both parties.

Michael Scott (Steve Carell) in The Office once said, “Would I rather be feared or loved?  Easy.  Both.  I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.”  To me, this sums up Trump… that’s all he cares about.  Or at least, that’s how I’ve interpreted his message.