The Bible clearly defines the enemy as Satan (1 Peter 5:8, Matthew 13:38-39, 1 Timothy 5:14-15, et al.) and states that our struggle is not with men but against evil (Ephesians 6:12).  I expect Christian pastors to know the basics, and especially when speaking on a national stage to an international audience.

Mark Burns, pastor at Harvest Praise and Worship Center in Easley, SC, who “prayed” the first night of the GOP Convention, appears to have forgotten who the enemy truly is, or to have become so consumed by partisan politics that he unilaterally enlarged the category to include “Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party” (and presumably all others who oppose Donald Trump as well).

Hello Republicans! I’m Pastor Mark Burns from the great state of South Carolina! I’m going to pray and I’m going to give the benediction. You know why? Because we are electing a man in Donald Trump who believes in the name of Jesus Christ. And Republicans, we got to be united because our enemy is not other Republicans — but is Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party.

Let’s pray. Let’s pray together. Father God, in the name of Jesus, Lord we’re so thankful for the life of Donald Trump. We’re thankful that you are guiding him, you’re giving him the words to unite this party, this country, that we together can defeat the liberal Democratic Party, to keep us divided and not united. Because we are the United States of America, and we are the conservative party under God.

To defeat every attack that comes against us; protect the life of Donald Trump, give him the words, give him the peace, give him the power and the authority to be the next President of the United States of America. In Jesus’ name — if you believe it, shout Amen!

When we misuse the holy name of Jesus Christ to endorse secular causes, people, or movements, it perverts God.  Beyond Burns’ misrepresenting Scripture (which is a very serious matter for biblical teachers, 2 Peter 2:1-3), he is telling all Christians that loyalty to a secular political party is the measure of their faith, and that the Creator of the Universe is a card-carrying Republican.

Good to know.

So, in addition to Christian Democrats, Christian independents, Christian Libertarians, Christian Green Party members, Christian Sander’s supporters, and Christian Constitution Party members — you are all now “the enemy.”

I’m sure Satan is thrilled that his true identity has been further obscured, and by a man of the cloth standing on the world stage no less.  Instead of praying for peace, justice, or the soul of the nation, Burns gave Trump supporters permission to wage earthly battles against their neighbors, some of whom are fellow believers.

As Christians, our job is to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20) and to avoid being stumbling blocks to the weak (1 Cor. 8:9).  When Burns uses his divine office as a tool for division, and makes an idol of partisan politics, he defiles the name of God and destroys his (and our) witness to the lost.  Burns’ colossal blunder did not go unnoticed and he declined opportunities to walk it back.

When religious leaders brand groups of people “the enemy,” how long before that perception turns to hate, which eventually leads to violence?  We bristle at being called “infidels” and condemn the actions of Islamic terrorists, but passively accept the destructive rhetoric of religious leaders like Burns.  The first step is demonizing those who disagree with us.

If you are a Trump supporter who is also a Christian, I strongly urge you to denounce Mark Burns and his call to partisan warfare.  It was not Christ’s approach to the world, and it won’t end well.  In fact, it already hasn’t — it’s called the culture wars.

How do Christians expect the world to believe that God is love when we wallow in secular filth and misappropriate His name to advance our agendas?  Our detractors are justifiably confused, and it’s largely our fault.  It’s easier for them to label us judgmental hypocrites than to try and sort out our insanity.

We are commanded to be set apart (Romans 1:1, 2 Cor. 6:17, Psalm 4:3, et al.).  It’s time we started acting like it.