How to End America’s Uncivil War
In one word, repent! That one word applies to all Americans of any race, any religion, and any political ideology who have forgotten God or have never acknowledged Him. May all Americans, beginning with myself, remember with fear and reverence the God who created us and loves us.
George Washington, perhaps the greatest leader this nation has ever known, once said:
It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.
Today, many Americans show little, if any, need or reverence for God. Sadly, the result is greater division, less unity, and lack of civility as we witness the reality of a spiritual battle between good and evil.
The only hope for America, and for every other nation, is that we turn to the one true Almighty God, acknowledge our need for Him, seek His wisdom, listen to Him, trust Him, and do what He says. No one knows what’s best for us better than God does.
Andrew Murray in his book, Abiding in Christ, wrote:
There can be no real prosperity or progress in a nation, a home, or a soul without peace. Peace can reign only where everything is as God would have it, in God’s order and in harmony with His will.
Can peace, prosperity and progress be possible in America with so much diversity in race, religion, and politics? Absolutely, if we understand that such diversity exists because of the freedom we have in America, and that our freedom is possible because this country was founded as a nation under God. That God is the God of the Bible, and the Bible is the source of truth God provided to lead, guide, and protect us. It is the God of the Bible who has abundantly blessed this great nation for 250 years.
As repentance is key to ending America’s uncivil war, we will identify six opportunities for all Americans to demonstrate repentance by:
- Engaging in Civil Conversation
- Acknowledging Jesus to Be Who He Claims to Be
- Enjoying the Hope of Eternal Life
- Knowing the Real Enemy and Rejecting His Deceit
- Eliminating Sex Ed that Exploits America’s Youth
- Not Being Conformed to This World
1. Engaging in Civil Conversation
All Americans are created in the image of God. As such, we should be respectful of the person, even when we disagree with one another. That doesn’t mean we need to be respectful of any behavior we are opposed to. Everyone has a story and reasons for believing the way we do. It’s good for people with opposing views to agree to meet and discuss their differences. It’s an opportunity to engage in honest conversation by giving each other the freedom to share what and why each believes as they do about the issue or matter of concern upon which they disagree. It’s important for each person to also identify their source of truth upon which they base their beliefs, and to be certain their source of truth is trustworthy.
America is a nation that offers freedom of religion, and freedom to have different views regarding social and political concerns. That’s why it’s important to communicate with civility and become other-minded listeners who extend grace without compromising truth. The Bible helps us know how to do that. Here are a few examples:
“…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19-20, NIV).
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29, NIV).
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:1-2, ESV).
(See also: Philippians 2:3-4; Ephesians 4:15; 2 Timothy 2:24-26). The Christlike Dialogue website offers additional resources that prepare people to engage in civil conversation.
2. Acknowledging Jesus to Be Who He Claims to Be
Many Americans don’t know Jesus for who He truly is. Some think He was just a great teacher and prophet. Others don’t believe in Him at all. Christianity, which centers it’s faith in Jesus Christ has kept this nation under the blessing and protection of God Almighty. God would love to see all Americans come to know Jesus for who He truly is.
Here is a key passage of Scripture to help us know Jesus:
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-17, ESV).
While Jesus is a great teacher and prophet, He is also the Son of God, and the only Savior of the world. He was crucified, died, and rose from the dead. Jesus is alive and seated at the right hand of God. He will return to judge the living and the dead. (John 4:25-26; 1 John 4:14; Acts 2:32; Acts 10:36-43)
3. Enjoying the Hope of Eternal Life
Within our current culture, there are differing views on how one can have eternal life. Most religions hold to the view that one can earn their salvation by good works or obedience. The Bible offers a uniquely different way to receive forgiveness of sin, to be reconciled with God, and to have eternal life. The Bible proclaims that people are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
“…for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).
“…we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:16, ESV).
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:16-18, NIV).
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13, ESV).
The Bible declares that we can know we have eternal life. The God of the Bible loves people and wants to save us so we can live with Him forever. He doesn’t want us to doubt or worry, not knowing if we will measure up to God’s expectations. Instead, God the Father wants His children to know with certainty we are forgiven and have eternal life. He wants us to enjoy the peace and joy that comes with simply trusting in Jesus and His promises. (Who Is Jesus? How to Have Eternal Life)
4. Knowing the Real Enemy and Rejecting his Deceit
There is a spiritual battle between good and evil taking place in America and around the world. For there to be hope of ending the uncivil war in America, we need to recognize the real enemy. It’s not each other.
“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” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
The Bible identifies characteristics of an extremely dangerous invisible enemy:
Satan, is “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4a, ESV). He is “the deceiver of the whole world” (Revelation 12:9, ESV). He makes what is evil look good. And he tries to convince people they are good enough, or intelligent enough, or financially secure enough that they don’t need God.
“He is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44, ESV). He “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10a, ESV). Satan does all he can to steal the truth from people, and to destroy marriages and lives in any way he can. He enjoys death and suffering.
The true God of the universe speaks truth. He creates life. He loves people. He proved His love by sending His Son to rescue us from sin and darkness, and to give us abundant life.
Who is guiding your life? Is it the god of this world, who hates people and seeks to destroy us and our nation? Or are you trusting in the only true God who created us, loves us, and wants what is best for all Americans?
5. Eliminating Sex Ed that Exploits America’s Youth
Much has changed in our world, but one specific area of concern is the social engineering of our children that is taking place in our school system under the guise of sex ed. This sex ed component may be included as part of the Comprehensive Health Education curriculum in schools.
Why is this such a serious concern for our nation? Because this strategy of using sex ed for social change is undermining parental authority, undermining God’s authority, and exploiting America’s youth, putting them at great risk of making unhealthy choices.
It is a strategy to deceive and manipulate the youth of America through sex education for thirteen years, K-12th Grade. It’s a means of social engineering with a goal of social change that serves the self-interests of those initiating and promoting it. This has been taking place in America for the last several decades and has already had a negative impact on several generations of America’s youth.
God, through the Bible, has defined marriage and what is considered natural and healthy sex. What is being allowed in many of our public schools is a re-defining of what is considered to be natural. Students are then deceived into believing that unhealthy sexual behavior is natural. This is putting America’s youth at great risk of making unhealthy, dangerous choices. Kids are even being manipulated into questioning their gender identity, causing them great confusion, anxiety, and depression.
Why would any organization be allowed to re-define what God has already defined, and then be granted permission to persuade young children to agree with their new definitions?
Don’t you find it interesting that for over two hundred years, none of this teaching existed in America? Instead, young people were taught truth that could help them, rather than lies that mislead and hurt them. Children were even free to recite the pledge of allegiance in school, acknowledging we are one nation under God. God honored that by blessing and protecting this great nation because we acknowledged our need for Him. There was a rightful reverence for our Creator.
For over two hundred years, school-aged kids were protected from being exploited, deceived, or manipulated into believing abortion is okay, and that same sex relationships are as natural as heterosexual relationships. Children did not question their identity as to whether they were a boy or a girl. They naturally knew they were what God created them to be.
What happened to America over the last several decades to bring about such radical social change? If you love children and love our nation, we encourage you to take the time to read the following three links. We believe you will find it very interesting to read about an organization that in their own words makes it clear what they do: “Advancing sex ed for social change since 1964.”
Deceiving Our Youth Through Sex Education.
Pray for our nation and for protection of the hearts and minds of America’s youth.
May God, who loves children, orchestrate what is needed to end the deceiving of our youth through sex ed in America, for His glory.
6. Not Being Conformed to This World
This is a clear warning from God through the Bible:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, ESV).
Here’s a simple way to explain the difference. To be conformed to this world means you want what this world has to offer more than you want what God has to offer. To be transformed by the renewal of our mind is to spend time reading the Bible. Why? To know the God who loves you and His Son, Jesus who gave His life for you.
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3, ESV).
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world” (1 John 2:15-16, ESV).
Remember, Satan is the god of this world who makes bad look good and deceives people into believing they don’t need God.
There can only be two basic loves, the love of God unto the forgetfulness of self, or the love of self unto the forgetfulness of God. – Augustine
Conclusion
What has made America such a great nation? Not pride, nor busyness, nor intellect, money, possessions, or power, but rather humility, diligent hard work, honesty, integrity, courage, and civil conversation. In the past, there has been a greater sense of community where people worked together peacefully for the common good of our nation. May we see more of that return to America.
What is the most significant reason God has blessed and protected the United States of America for 250 years? I submit to you it’s because of the prayers and obedience of those Americans who love, revere, and trust the God of the Bible. May you be one of them so this nation can remain under His blessing and protection.
Will America’s uncivil war come to an end? Only if Americans are willing to repent.
June 17, 2026
by Jeff Rosenau
Jeff is the founder and president of the ministry, Christlike Dialogue. He is the author of When Christians Act Like Christians and Communicate with Civility. Jeff has over 30 years’ experience teaching biblical principles that equip people to engage in conversations that are honoring to God.