There is a pervasive lie taking root across our country that sounds wise on the surface, even spiritual. This lie says the Church should stay out of culture and politics to maintain “unity” or “neutrality.” But we must recognize that silence is not safety; silence is surrender. As Christians grounded in Scripture, we are uniquely equipped to address the ethical needs of our world.
Here are three reasons why the Church, and institutions shaped by it, cannot afford to whisper or stay quiet when the world is speaking with evangelistic zeal.
1. Silence Is Not Neutrality; It Is Spiritual Encroachment
We are watching culture step boldly into spaces God never assigned to it, spaces meant for the Church and the family. Today, voices are redefining gender, life, morality, and the created order with absolute certainty. When the world begins speaking with theological authority on these foundational issues, the Church must not back down. Scripture does not present the collision between truth and culture as an anomaly; it presents it as inevitable. Light does not negotiate with darkness; it reveals it. Therefore, to stay quiet in the face of this encroachment isn’t being prudent; it’s being negligent.
2. Following Christ Requires Conviction Over Comfort
One of the most uncomfortable things Jesus ever said was, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth… but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). He wasn’t calling for violence; he was naming reality. Truth divides. Jesus understood that unity without truth is not biblical unity. His message was meant to disrupt systems and cultures that stand against God’s design. If we choose silence to avoid division, we are choosing a false peace. Eventually, this choice hollows out our identity. Following Christ still requires choosing conviction over comfort and faithfulness over fear.
3. We Are Called to Be Watchmen, Not Bystanders
Scripture describes God’s people as ambassadors, witnesses, salt, and light. Each of these images assumes engagement and visibility. A watchman who sees danger and remains silent is not being cautious. He is being unfaithful to his post. We have a responsibility to form the next generation. Currently, this generation is being formed by curated feeds and algorithms designed to dismantle their conviction. If we stay on the sidelines of culture and politics, we graduate people who are academically prepared but spiritually anchored to nothing. We as leaders must use our influence to equip others to stand with clarity in a world that desperately needs a moral compass.
The world does not need more leaders who are technically prepared but anchored to nothing. It needs those who refuse to retreat when pressure increases. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 says to go into all the world. This includes the political and cultural sectors. Because these spaces are volatile, we cannot simply ignore them.
It is time to stop apologizing for biblical truth. We must start leading with the sober-minded courage this moment demands. This is the hour to stand firm. Choose truth over approval, and let your voice be heard.