“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).

Elections come and go. Policies shift. But the spirits behind the candidates remain the same. Mammon, the Accuser, the spirit of control, the spirit of deception – they do not run on party platforms. They run on human hearts.

This article is not about Democrat vs. Republican. It is about discernment. First, we test the spirit behind a candidate. Then we move from naming to building – real solutions for people trapped in systems that crush them.

Part 1: Testing the Spirit Behind a Candidate

Behind every candidate, there is a root. That root produces fruit. The fruit reveals whether the spirit behind the campaign is from God or from the world.

A note on abortion: Many believers hold nuanced views, supporting exceptions for high‑risk pregnancies or cases of rape. The critique below is not about those exceptions. It is about unrestricted abortion on demand – the position that abortion should be legal without meaningful limits for any reason.

Case Study: James Talarico (D‑TX)

James Talarico is a Texas State Representative and a seminarian running for U.S. Senate on an explicitly Christian platform. He says, “I am a seminarian. My platform is the New Testament.”

But the Bible warns: “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). So we must test.

1. What does he say about the nature of God?
   Talarico has publicly stated that “God is nonbinary” and suggested “God has six biological sexes.”

The biblical test: God reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). He created them male and female (Genesis 1:27). A spirit that denies the Father and the Son is not from God (1 John 2:22‑23).

2. What does he say about unrestricted abortion?
   Talarico supports abortion without meaningful limits – voting against late‑term restrictions and parental notification laws. This goes far beyond medical or trauma exceptions.

The biblical test: Scripture commands us to defend the weak and the fatherless (Psalm 82:3‑4). The unborn are image‑bearers (Psalm 139:13‑16). Unrestricted abortion on demand treats them as disposable.

3. Does he preach the Jesus of Scripture or a political Jesus?
   He has called Jesus a “radical feminist” and launched his campaign with an ad that mentioned Jesus only by implication.

The biblical test: The Jesus of Scripture is not a symbol for any political agenda. Paul warned about preaching “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4).

The verdict: Based on the fruit, the spirit behind this campaign is not the Spirit of Christ. It is a spirit of syncretism – merging Christianity with a secular worldview.

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man” (Jeremiah 17:5).

The Same Test for Every Candidate

Before you vote, ask:

· Does this candidate honor the biblical God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
· Does this candidate protect the innocent (with rare exceptions for medical necessity or trauma)?
· Does this candidate preach the Jesus of Scripture, or a Jesus of their own making?

Your vote is a testimony. Do not give it to a spirit that fails these tests.

Part 2: Real Solutions – Beyond Naming the Spirit

Naming the spirit is essential. But after you name it, you need a shovel. Here are real, practical solutions for people who are tired of just talking about the problem.

1. Build a Witness, Not a Case
   Stop arguing. Start collecting evidence. Keep a log: dates, times, what was said, what actually happened. Record conversations where legal. Over time, the pattern becomes undeniable. Evidence does not get tired, does not get emotional, and does not need to be believed. It just is.
2. Teach 60‑Second Discernment
   Most people have never been taught how to test a spirit. Give them a simple, repeatable method:

· Who benefits? The vulnerable or the powerful?
· What fruit? Peace, clarity, freedom – or fear, confusion, bondage?
· Does it align with God's character? Loving, just, merciful, true?
No theology degree required. Just a habit.

3. Start Mutual Aid, Not Just Prayer
   Prayer is essential. But prayer without action is dead (James 2:16). Gather a small group of builders – not takers. Share resources: rides, meals, couches, skills, job leads. No bureaucracy. No “deserving” tests. Just help.
4. Create Exit Protocols for Trapped People
   Many people are stuck in abusive systems, churches, families, or relationships. They know it is bad. They do not know how to leave safely. Give them a checklist:

· Document everything (secure log, dates, witnesses)
· Secure resources (separate bank account, hidden cash, ID documents)
· Identify a safe place (friend’s couch, shelter, family who believes you)
· Make a go‑bag (clothes, meds, papers, cash, charger)
· Set a date and leave – do not announce, do not argue.

5. Teach Boundary Scripts Without Guilt
   Most people do not know how to say no. Give them scripts:

· “I cannot help with that right now.”
· “That does not work for me.”
· “No.” (Full sentence.)
Then teach them that the guilt is a hook, not from God. Do not obey it.

6. Log Contradictions
   When a person lies repeatedly, their words leave a trail. Keep a simple log: date, time, quote. When they contradict themselves, note it. After a few months, you will have a pattern that no amount of gaslighting can erase. No fighting. Just recording.
7. Model a Different Way of Living
   The best solution is not a program. It is your life. Live with integrity. Admit when you are wrong. Ask for help. Set boundaries. Keep building. Sermons are forgotten. Lives are remembered.

The Best Solution: Become the Alternative

You cannot fix the system. You can build outside it. You cannot make takers stop taking. You can stop giving to them. You cannot force people to see the truth. You can become so aligned with the truth that they cannot ignore you.

Naming the spirit is the beginning. Building the door is the end.

A Prayer for Discernment and Action

Father, give us eyes to see and ears to hear. Protect us from the spirit of deception that masquerades as light. Help us test every candidate, every message, every promise against Your Word. And after we have named the spirit, give us the courage to build – a witness, a door, a community that actually helps. We are tired of fighting the same battles. Show us a better way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If this article helped you see more clearly or gave you a tool to use, leave a zap. A zap is a signal that truth should not be buried.