The Bible lays down guidelines for a Christian response to unjust governments.
Obey Its Laws under God
The first and foremost responsibility a Christian has to any government, just or unjust, democracy or monarchy, is to obey its laws (Romans 13:1, Titus 3:1). Peter wrote, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men" (1 Peter 2:13, NIV). For "it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men" (v15). Civil disobedience is a bad testimony for a follower of Christ. Christians should be known as law-abiding citizens, not rebels. The best way to effect lasting change in an unjust government is by being a spiritual example, not by revolution. Only when it takes the place of God should we refuse to obey government, and even then we should not revolt against it.
Pray for Oppressive Governments
Paul urged Christians that "entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NASB). One of the most effective ways to change an unjust government is to pray for it. Prayer is the slender nerve by which the muscles of omnipotence are moved. God heard the cries of his oppressed people in times past (Exodus 2:23) and he will hear and answer them again today.
Work Peacefully and Legally to Change It
Politically, there was very little Christians could do to change the Roman government in the New Testament. That is not true for most Christians in the West today. We can not only pray for Caesar, but we can elect him. We can not only resist political evil, but we are free to do political good. And, as James said, "to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17, NASB). Therefore, to quote Paul, "as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10, NKJV). We should fight oppression in our government with the ballot, not the bullet. It should be resisted with good, not with guns.
Disobey Oppressive Commands
As was previously noted, Christians can do something else about oppressive commands - they can disobey them.* No human can compel us to disobey God. He is the highest authority, and his Word alone binds our conscience absolutely. This kind of biblical and courageous refusal to do evil will itself have a good effect on evil government. The kings of Babylon were significantly affected by the courageous disobedience of both Daniel and the three Hebrew children (Daniel 3, 6).
*We should legally protest unjust laws, but we should not disobey them. It is one thing for a government to allow others to do evil, but it is another thing for it to force an individual to do evil. Only in the latter case is civil disobedience justified.
Furthermore, there is a right way and a wrong way to disobey and oppressive government when it compels us to do evil. The biblical pattern is to refuse to obey its compulsive commands, but not to revolt against it.
Flee Oppressive Governments
Christians do not need to be passive targets of tyranny. We need not be dart boards for despots. When oppressed we should flee to freedom. The prophets fled from Jezebel (1 Kings 18), Israel fled from Egypt (Exodus 12), and even Jesus' family fled from Herod (Matthew 2). So while not using force against unjust governments, we should at least flee their force against us.
Patiently Endure Suffering
Admittedly, fleeing is not always possible, or successful. Sometimes Christians must suffer patiently for Christ's sake. Peter wrote, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation" (1 Peter 4:12-13, NASB). Sometimes we must simply suffer oppression for Christ, or even martyrdom. John said, "if anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go... This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints" (Revelation 13:10, NIV).
- Norman L. Geisler, Christian Ethics
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