On September 10, 2025, conservative influencer and activist Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk was an active voice on college campuses around the country, seeking to challenge the younger generation to not only be involved in the political process but to stand up for conservative values and beliefs. He was known for his gracious and polite dialogue with his opponents while remaining steadfast in his conservative positions. Even more importantly, Kirk was an outspoken Christian who did not waver in his beliefs despite the numerous attacks brought against him by his political opposition. He is described by those who knew him as a loving husband, father, and friend who was passionate about his love for his faith and his country.

Local and federal law enforcement officers continue to actively investigate this horrific crime. At present, they have identified a person of interest in the case and have recovered the murder weapon, a high-powered rifle, which reportedly had ammunition marked with anti-fascist and transgender language. The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, has called the murder a “political assassination.” (). At this time, all evidence points to Kirk’s murder as politically and religiously motivated. As the managing editor of The Federalist, Kylee Griswold, has stated, Charlie Kirk was martyred specifically for the message he believed and proclaimed (). Knowing this, Christians are faced not only with the emotional toil of watching a fellow believer horrifically lose his life, but they must now confront what this means for their families, friends, and themselves in such a wicked world.

The Godly Will Face Persecution

In his epistle to Timothy, the apostle Paul encourages the young pastor to remain steadfast in the faith and to emulate him in his service to the Lord. Speaking of facing his own persecutions, Paul makes it clear that the birthright of every Christian is to be hated for the faith: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Those who have repented and put their faith in Christ have the promise that they will be made into a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) who will be given a new heart, with new desires inclined to be obedient to God (Ezek. 36:26). This means that they are freed from the desires of the flesh, turning from sexual immorality, idolatry, thievery, drunkenness, and more (1 Cor. 6:11). Followers of Christ are called not only to repent of this lifestyle of sin, but to preach the gospel of Jesus to any and everyone they meet (Matt. 28:19-20). And it is this very message that brings the hatred of the world to the doorstep of the Christian church, for they hate Christ himself and those who represent him (John 15:18).

Much like many biblically informed Christians, Charlie Kirk spoke firmly and unapologetically about his beliefs, which were founded on his unwavering belief in the God of Scripture. Video after video can be found on the internet of Kirk engaging liberal students who mocked and derided him for his Christian faith and practice. Since the announcement of his death, many of those same liberal students, media personalities, and more have publicly celebrated this atrocious crime. Why? Because those who hate God love death (Prov. 8:36). There is a deep wickedness to be found in those who not only reject the truth of Scripture but who also turn their vile hearts against his followers.

In recent years, the political left has fomented that evil into a fever pitch by painting Christians and political conservatives as hateful, bigoted, Nazis, and tyrants who want to rule over and even destroy their opponents. This rhetoric has resulted in a string of vicious assaults and killings repeatedly committed by left-wing radicals and transgender activists. Furthermore, politically motivated policies that have defunded police departments and reduced criminal justice laws enacted by progressive politicians have resulted in cities that are far more dangerous in which to live. As a result, Christians and conservatives have become a targeted group and face increased risk to their safety.

How Then Shall We Live?

Christians living in these dangerous and uncertain times, therefore, must be wise to the ever-growing presence of evil that surrounds them. Christ told his disciples, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16). He was sending them out into the world to proclaim the glorious truth of the gospel, but they were not to head out blindly. Christ warned them that wicked men would arrest them, beat them, and do all manner of despicable evil to them for their devotion to Christ. While they were not to seek out affliction, they were to be prepared to face it boldly, prepared to share the gospel before all men, regardless of what may come. Furthermore, Jesus even authorized them to take swords for personal protection on the way (Luke 22:35-38). This was not a call to arms to take over the nations, but a recognition that evil was present everywhere and that his people should be permitted to protect their own lives.

Christians today should likewise be prepared to recognize and face an evil generation that wishes to do them harm simply because of what they represent. They are called to preach the truth of Scripture firmly, without adulteration, and without apology. Christians are to understand that they will be hated for this message because it confronts sinners with what they really are, wicked rebels against the almighty and eternal King of kings. While Christians may face personal risk to life and liberty, they also have the right to self-protection and the protection of others. They are not to seek out dangerous confrontations which may end in such a decision, but they should be prepared should such a time be forced upon them.

Kirk repeatedly spoke and called for the government to be held to its founding documents, much of which was based on biblical truth. In being wise about evil, Christians should also engage the political system, calling out sin and wickedness in even the high offices of government. John the Baptist called out King Herod for his sexual immorality, which resulted in his imprisonment and beheading (Matt. 14:3-4). Jesus showed no fear of Herod when the Pharisees invoked his name in hopes of silencing Christ (Luke 13:31-32). And Paul held the magistrates to the law of the land when he was falsely beaten and imprisoned (Acts 16:35-40). Christians should be engaged in the electoral process, voting for godly candidates and demanding laws that reflect God’s commandments in Scripture. God has given government for the good of the people, to protect the citizenry and to punish the evildoer (Rom. 13:1-7), and Christians have a duty to call on the governing body to glorify God by upholding his commandments to them. Christians can and should seek the benefit of the culture by remaining politically engaged for the glory of God.

Finally, Christians should consider the example of Kirk’s polite and respectful discourse with those who vehemently disagreed with him. The apostle Paul wrote:

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:14–18).

In our engagement with the culture, while we can never waver on the truth, calling on every man and woman everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30), Christians must do so in a manner that glorifies God by not treating unbelievers in the same vile manner with which they are treated. Christians are not better than those who revile Christ, because they, too, were once rebels to the King. They are simply better off because they have been recipients of undeserved grace through the shed blood of Jesus. Therefore, as Christians engage the culture, it must be done with the understanding that the chief end of man “is to glorify God and enjoy him for ever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q1). Man cannot glorify God by unjust anger, hatred, and cruelty. Therefore, all Christian interaction should be through humble and contrite hearts who desire to lead the lost to the cross of Christ, that they might be saved and God glorified. Christians must trust that God will have his vengeance in due course against the wicked, thus being motivated in this life to overcome evil, not with more evil, but by doing good (Rom. 12:19-20)

Glorify God in All That You Do

The wicked and public murder of Charlie Kirk will remain on the collective conscience of the nation for some time to come. It will be the talking point of pundits, media, and politicians by the score. Many public policies will be affected, and the nation will face many challenges and changes to come. Christians should be at the forefront of these discussions, engaging the government, promoting policies that benefit and protect the people, and being willing to protect themselves and others. But, most importantly, Christians must be emboldened to proclaim the truths of Scripture in all these matters, to proclaim the only hope of salvation through the gospel, and to do it all with humility and grace. If we want to honor the passing of a man like Charlie Kirk, then we do so not with the man in view, but with the God he so openly proclaimed and served. Seek to bring glory to Christ, do so boldly and passionately, and do it because Jesus alone is worth it.

Note: This article was also published on X.com.