The Contradiction in Political Judgment
Millions of people describe themselves as patriotic, Christian, or both, yet many fail to examine the contradictions in their political judgments. Large YouTube channels and websites attract enormous audiences. One example is MeidasTouch, which has millions of subscribers. Although the channel does not present itself as Christian, many of its followers probably consider themselves Christians.
Some of these viewers recognise corruption in government, distrust the mainstream media, and oppose the political agendas of the European Union and NATO. Nevertheless, they applaud reports that Ukraine is winning and post comments supporting the Ukrainian war effort, even though it is backed by the same Western institutions they distrust. If they believe those institutions are corrupt or dishonest in domestic affairs, why do they accept their position on this war without the same degree of scrutiny?
This contradiction is a form of cognitive dissonance: the psychological tension that arises when a person holds conflicting beliefs and attempts to treat both as true.
Cheering the Same Governments They Condemn
Recent reports have highlighted Ukrainian successes in drone warfare. Russian ships, or ships operating under the Russian flag, have been attacked; oil refineries have been struck; and a military train has reportedly been destroyed. Video footage released by the Ukrainian military is then circulated online, where many viewers cheer the attacks.
Yet some of those same viewers blame Western governments for economic decline, poverty, social disorder, crime, and illegal immigration at home. They should therefore ask themselves what else they are supporting when they cheer a military campaign financed and encouraged by those governments.
Military Success Does Not Prove Moral Rightness
Many people assume that might makes right, but military victory does not prove moral righteousness. Winning a war does not automatically make a nation just, nor does it make its supporters good Christians. Likewise, patriotism does not require unconditional support for one’s government or the administration currently in power. That position is wrong both historically and by Christian standards.
Lessons from the American War for Independence
Consider the American War for Independence, whose 250th anniversary Americans have recently begun to commemorate. The war lasted more than eight years, from 1775 to 1783, and there were many periods when the cause of independence appeared close to failure.
By late 1776, the Continental Army had suffered serious defeats. Hunger, desertion, military reverses, treason, and internal division repeatedly threatened the rebellion. In 1781, mutinies within the Continental Army showed how close the cause had come to fracturing even six years after the war began.
British leaders and Loyalists could easily have looked at those setbacks and declared, “We are winning.” Many colonists opposed independence or remained neutral, while others believed that God was on the side of the American cause. The final outcome demonstrated that a temporary military advantage is not the same as a final judgment.
The same principle should be remembered when Russia appears to be losing ground or approaching defeat. Russia may eventually withdraw from Ukraine, or it may not. Time will tell. Whatever the outcome, it will not automatically prove that the European Union, NATO, or the governments supporting Ukraine are morally right.
Conquest Is Not the End of History
The history of Europe offers another example. The Moors and the Ottoman Empire controlled substantial territories in Europe over several centuries. During those periods, many Christians lived under foreign rule, paid taxes to Muslim authorities, and were no longer in control of their own countries. Some undoubtedly abandoned the faith under pressure.
Muslim armies conquered territory and held it for long periods, but conquest did not make their rule permanent or prove that they were morally right. What appears to be the end of a struggle is not always the end. The same caution applies when judging the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The Outcome Is Not Yet Settled
Russia also possesses advanced missile systems, including Oreshnik and Iskander. These weapons are designed for high speed and manoeuvrable flight paths that make interception by modern air-defence systems extremely difficult. Reports of their use attracted considerable attention, but they have received less coverage recently. Whether this reflects limited supplies, strategic restraint, or some other reason is not publicly clear.
The larger point is that no one should assume that every available weapon has been used or that the final outcome has already been decided. War can change direction quickly, and today’s advantage may not determine tomorrow’s result.
The Biblical Pattern of Humbling Before Deliverance
The Bible repeatedly shows that God may allow a nation to reach the limits of its own strength before deliverance comes. If a nation wins because it has more soldiers, more tanks, more aircraft, better commanders, and more advanced weapons, what will people say? They will say, “Look what we have done. We had the strongest army, the best commanders, and the most advanced weapons.”
Human beings are quick to claim the credit, praise what they have created, and forget God. Military success can therefore produce pride rather than repentance. But when a situation becomes desperate, when a people are surrounded and their own strength has failed, they may finally recognise that they have nowhere to turn except to God Almighty.
Then they search the Bible for guidance, seek God in prayer, and repent of sins they had previously accepted. This is the principle expressed in II Chronicles 7:14:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
That verse should be read carefully. Deliverance begins with humility, prayer, repentance, and a return to God—not with confidence in human power alone.
The Exodus: Deliverance Beyond Human Strength
The Exodus provides one of the clearest examples. The ancient Israelites, our Caucasian ancestors, appeared to be trapped, with the Egyptian army behind them and the sea before them. They were completely surrounded. Their escape did not come because they were faster, stronger, or better armed. It came because God Almighty parted the sea and made a way for them to cross.
When the Egyptian forces pursued them into the opened passage, God did not have the water close before the Egyptian entered the water; he did not let a part in; He waited until they were all in the Red Sea then had the walls of water come down. The waters completely overwhelmed the army. Israel then saw that Yahweh reigns supreme and remains in control of the destiny of nations.
Christians and patriots should therefore judge war by truth and righteousness, not by propaganda, popularity, or temporary military success. Might does not make right, and the nation that appears strongest today may not determine the final course of history.