Here is a little study which I hope will instruct the readers on the necessity of keeping the Bible in our governmental affairs. — A. V.

According to Edmund Burke, "The only way for evil triumph is for good

men to do nothing."

I was just reading Proverbs 14:19, "The evil bow before the good, and

the wicked at the gates of the righteous."

This verse seems indicate the positive side to Edmund Burke's famous

quotation.

When the good are involved in governing, the wicked will cooperate

(whether by force or by reason, they will cooperate with the rule of righteous law).

When good men fail to govern morally, evil will rule.

I'm convinced that the reason hedonists have such a strong influence upon

Congress and other branches of government on all levels is because believers have

left a political void for the wicked to fill. This theory, as put forth by Burke, appears to be

rooted in Proverbs 14:19.

Verses 22, 23, and 34 also attest to the positive effects of God's people

being involved in government. Though these truths certainly apply to

other spheres of life, there is enough context in the chapter to indicate that

they most certainly can be applied to the political realm.

"Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them

that devise good.

"In all labour there is profit: but the talk of lips tendeth only to

penury.

"Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

My conclusion from this is that the Bible is teaching that God's people

need to be pro-actively involved in government in order to keep evil

in subjection. To do any less is to allow the wicked to have unfettered

control of society. For Christians, who are aware of how Biblical

morality needs to be applied in government, to avoid getting involved would be

sin according to James 4:17.