I recently saw a video in which the speaker quotes Romans 13 (“no leader is in power without God’s authority”) and then immediately claims we are also commanded to “ignore false leaders.” She uses this to justify opposing certain political figures, particularly the current American President.
This is a textbook case of twisting Scripture for political purposes.
The Actual Biblical Context
Romans 13:1-7 is remarkably clear: civil authorities are established by God, and Christians are generally called to submit to them — paying taxes, honoring them, and living as good citizens. Paul wrote this while living under Nero, one of the most corrupt and brutal emperors Rome ever had (see Bruce, 1985; Schreiner, 1998). The command is not limited to leaders we like.
The New Testament repeatedly commands us to pray for all leaders, not just the ones we approve of:
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
This includes leaders we dislike, disagree with, or even find morally repulsive. Prayer is not endorsement. It is obedience (see Towner, 2006; Mounce, 2000).
The “counter verses” the speaker alludes to — warnings about false teachers, false prophets, and not following those who lead people into sin or false doctrine — are almost entirely about spiritual authority inside the church, not civil government.
False teachers and false prophets in the New Testament are those who distort the gospel, promote immorality, or lead people away from Christ (2 Peter 2:1-3, Jude 3-4, Matthew 7:15-20, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; see Carson, 1987; Schreiner, 2003). There is a massive categorical difference between a political leader you dislike and a false spiritual leader.
Jesus Himself modeled submission to civil authority even when it was unjust. He paid the temple tax (Matthew 17:24-27), submitted to Pilate’s authority during His trial (John 19:11), and told His followers to “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21; see Blomberg, 1992). Civil disobedience is sometimes justified (Acts 5:29 — “We must obey God rather than men”), but only when the government explicitly commands us to sin or forbids us from obeying God. Disagreeing with policy or a leader’s personality is not the same thing.
Who is speaking?
The speaker has no formal theological credentials. A review of her content shows her output is overwhelmingly dominated by intense political opposition to Donald Trump. One video even states she left Bethel Church because they “promoted Trump.” That is a remarkably shallow reason to leave a church. Her material reads far more like political activism than biblical exposition.
It becomes clear that her interpretation is not driven by a desire to faithfully exposit the text, but by personal animus toward the current president. Hatred — even of a flawed leader — should never override biblical authority or context.
Let me be clear on this point: I do not support Donald Trump. I have significant disagreements with him on character, rhetoric, and several policy matters. But he currently holds real authority as President of the United States. According to Scripture, that authority exists under God’s sovereign permission (Romans 13:1; Daniel 2:21; John 19:11). My personal dislike does not nullify the biblical command to pray for him and to recognize the reality of governing authority.
The Real Issue
Scripture is not a political weapon to be wielded against whichever party or person we dislike. Both sides do this constantly. In this case, the selective use of Romans 13 — affirming God’s sovereignty when convenient, then pivoting to “ignore false leaders” when it’s not — is manipulative and dangerous.
Jesus is not a Republican. Jesus is not a Democrat. Jesus is King (John 18:36-37; Revelation 19:16).
Our ultimate allegiance is to Him, not to any earthly political tribe. Christians can and should engage in the public square — voting according to conscience, advocating for justice, speaking truth — but we must stop pretending Jesus would fully endorse either major party’s platform or that disliking a president gives us permission to twist Scripture to fit our narrative.
Let’s stop using the Bible to justify our tribal loyalties. Let’s return to reading it on its own terms, in its own context, under the lordship of Christ alone.
The Kingdom of God is not a political platform. It is a radically different way of being human under the rule of King Jesus.
Citations:
- F.F. Bruce, The Epistle of Paul to the Romans (1985)
- Thomas R. Schreiner, Romans (Baker Exegetical Commentary, 1998)
- Philip Towner, The Letters to Timothy and Titus (2006)
- William D. Mounce, Pastoral Epistles (2000)
- D.A. Carson, “Matthew” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (1987)
- Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude (2003)
- Craig L. Blomberg, Matthew (1992)
Rooted & Reckoned 
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