Vance Brands Democrats 'Party of Hatred' — Who's the Real Enemy?

Political enemies. That's the frame today. This is The Gospel Briefing. I'm Charles King. When a politician tells you who to hate, what does a Christian do with that instruction? Last night in Dallas, Vice President JD Vance closed the first-ever Republican midterm convention. He branded the Democratic Party the "party of hatred." His words. He said Democrats are "not the party of FDR or JFK... not even the party of Bill Clinton anymore." He said they "despise America and the people who built it." Vance framed the speech around the legacy of his late friend Charlie Kirk, assassinated one year ago, and the birth of his son Alec in July. He spoke about the nuclear family. About every American child's "birthright." He also told a protester waving a Mexican flag to "get your ass over there," and offered to buy the plane ticket. The crowd erupted. Here's the honest observation. Both parties are doing this right now. Naming the other side not as wrong on policy, but as evil in essence. That is not normal political speech. It's a spiritual claim. And Scripture has something specific to say about that. Ephesians six, verse twelve. Paul says our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Paul wrote that from a Roman jail. He had real political enemies. He still refused to name them as the enemy. Keep Ephesians six open in Bible Copilot and follow along as we work through it. Development two. The Supreme Court has blocked Missouri from using its new congressional map in the upcoming midterms. The map favored Republicans. The Court's order pauses it while litigation continues. Why it matters now. Districts shape who represents you. This ruling lands two months out from November third, with control of Congress on the line. Expect more map fights before Election Day. The lens is simple. Proverbs eleven, verse one. A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. Fair lines. Honest scales. Older than any party. Development three. Also in Dallas, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called his Democratic opponent, state Representative James Talarico, "the most radical Democrat in Texas history." Paxton pitched tax deductions for down payments, medical expenses, and gym memberships. He also mocked Talarico's faith. Talarico is a Presbyterian seminarian. Paxton said, "He calls himself a Christian who hates Christianity." Here's where I need to be careful. Christians in Texas will vote different ways in this race, and that is not the scandal. The scandal is using another believer's faith as a campaign punchline. James chapter three warns that with the same tongue we bless God and curse people made in his image. Pray for wisdom today before you repeat what you have heard. One concrete practice before the day ends. Pray by name for one political figure you find difficult to respect. Not for their defeat. For their soul. This episode is presented by Bible Copilot. Open Bible Copilot and study the Verse of the Day first — Ephesians six, verse twelve. You'll get a guided walk through what the passage says, what it means, what it teaches about God, and how to apply it to the way you read a political speech. Start at mybiblecopilot dot com slash gospel. That's mybiblecopilot dot com slash gospel, or search Bible Copilot in the App Store. Here is the verse in full. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Your neighbor is not your enemy. Your coworker is not your enemy. The person with the other yard sign is not your enemy. Scripture already named the real one, and Christ has already won. Thanks for listening to The Gospel Briefing. Carry peace into your Friday. I'll see you Monday.