This scenario needs a lot more navigating than most, so let's jump into it. It’s important to start by saying that this situation is nothing less than a tragedy, which should’ve never even gotten to this point. Although this situation took place between Border Patrol Agents and Mr. Pretti, neither of them were solely responsible for this situation. Instead, we should be looking at our politicians and our government for stoking the flames of chaos and violence. When we have politicians and others, like Tim Walz, Jacob Frey, and Stephen Colbert, comparing ICE and federal immigration enforcement agents to the Gestapo and Nazi’s, that creates a permission structure that permits and even necessitates violence. Or, when you have Kristi Noem rushing to say that Pretti was a domestic terrorist simply because he was exercising his right to possess a firearm under the 2nd Amendment. So no, this tragedy is not completely on Mr. Pretti or the federal agents involved, but between foolish politicians and voices of influence seeking to use the death of an American for political points (Proverbs 18:21). The rhetoric around federal agents carrying out their lawful duties has been absurd and also led to the death of Renee Good; while also leading to an 8,000% increase in death threats, a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks, and a 1,300% increase in assaults against ICE officers. Protestors and agitators are being stoked by political powers so that they can flip the script on the Trump Admin’s immigration agenda and is clearly putting federal agents in danger and causing the lives of Americans to be lost or destroyed.

Now, to the Word. God grants government the ability to set, legislate, and enforce the laws they see fit (Romans 13:1-4) while also commanding that believers obey governing authoring by giving “to Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21 & Mark 12:17). Government, as designed by God, is to destroy evil and promote what is good, right, and true and we are to obey that (1 Peter 2:13-17). However, the foolish talk of our politicians is an abomination (Isaiah 5:20) to God. Proverbs 26:13 says that “The sluggard says, 'There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!'” The sluggard and the fool are the ones who talk in ways that bring judgment on a nation and who say there is danger where danger is not, they call good evil and evil good. But Proverbs 29:2 says that “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice…” It’s incredibly 

As believers we must pray that our leaders would judge, lead, and rule our lands righteously while also understanding the power that their words have (Proverbs 18:21). We must pray that tensions arising in our nation would diminish and that righteous judgment would reign (John 7:24 & Zechariah 7:9-10). It's incredibly important that when we come across situations like this, as Christians, we must reflect before reacting. The world is full of outrage and confusion, we must be voices of clarity not just seeking to be swayed in the heat of an intense moment. Our world deserves sound minds and we have that to offer.

Here are some resources that I used to help navigate this situation:

💼 Nate the Lawyer gives a legal analysis of the situation
📄 Good article about the situation
🚨 Joey Jones with more moral clarity than most politicians
🗞️ Again, more moral clarity than most politicians
📜 One more X post for good measure

The Word says that “where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). Wise leaders are incredibly important in the nation, but so are the people we don’t see in the headlines everyday - their staff, their counsel, and their aides - who make so many decisions for the people. A nation rises and falls by 1) their allegiance to God and 2) the wisdom of their leaders (which comes from God). A nation led by fools is a terror to the people, pray that Mr. Warsh will lead with wisdom. However, we must remember that no matter how good the nation's monetary policy is, it is the Lord who blesses the nations with great wealth, or curses them because of their disobedience (Deuteronomy 8:18 & Deuteronomy 28).

We must pray that Kevin Warsh would rule with wisdom and a fear for the Lord, that he would make decisions that are honest and just (Proverbs 8:15-16 & Proverbs 29:4). We must pray that our nation would continually make wise and knowledgeable decisions when it comes to our monetary policy. We must pray that our nation would realize that our ultimate hope for fulfillment and salvation doesn’t lie in material gain but in Christ alone (Psalm 118:8-9).

Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that God is the one who shifts and moves the hearts of kings and that a wicked ruler oppresses the people and causes good people to go into hiding (Proverbs 28:15 & Proverbs 28:28). Consider it a blessing that the people of Venezuela have new leadership that has begun the process of allowing them to begin to flourish (Proverbs 28:3). While they still live under a regime that dictates many areas of their life, this is a good first step towards a new beginning for their nation (Proverbs 11:11).

We must pray that the government would make decisions that are in the best interests of the people. We must pray that the people would seek God for Godly leaders that will allow their nation to flourish. We must pray that this regime change would cause the Gospel to spread like wildfire. 

🙏🏻 Will always recommend John Bevere’s new podcast

🔥 Josh Howerton’s cultural commentary from a Biblical perspective is AMAZING

✝️ Update on the Bethel / Shawn Bolz situation

🇮🇷 Good breakdown on why Islamic countries are predominantly dictatorships