As anti-immigration protests continue to intensify, viral images, emotionally charged stories, and nonstop commentary on social media have left many divided and reactive. But according to Pastor Kap Chatfield, that reaction reveals a deeper issue facing the church.
“Your feelings and my feelings are not the guide here. Scripture is,” he said. “If we’re going to be thinking biblically about this issue, we need to step back from the noise… and ask, ‘What does God’s Word actually say?’”
Rather than framing the conversation politically, Chatfield insists the real issue is discipleship. “This is not a political video… This is about discipleship,” he said, warning that many believers are being shaped more by TikTok, Instagram and cable news than by Scripture itself.
God’s Design for Government
Chatfield begins with a foundational question: What does the Bible say about government?
Citing Romans 13:1–4, he reminded viewers that governing authorities are not accidental but divinely appointed. “Government is not an accident. It’s instituted by God Himself and has a very specific role—to punish evil and protect good,” he explained. While governments are imperfect, their God-given mandate to enforce law and maintain order remains intact.
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That authority, Chatfield argues, includes borders.
Are Borders Biblical?
“Borders are biblical. Nations are biblical,” Chatfield said. He referenced Acts 17, noting that God “determined the boundaries of their dwellings,” and pointed to Israel’s laws regarding foreigners as evidence that order—not chaos—was God’s design.
Even the book of Nehemiah, Chatfield noted, centers on rebuilding a wall to protect Jerusalem. “This wasn’t cruelty. This was wisdom. This was order,” he said.
Compassion Does Not Cancel Law
Chatfield acknowledged the emotional weight behind immigration debates, particularly the argument that many undocumented immigrants are simply seeking a better life.
“I understand the heart behind that statement. I have empathy for that,” he said. “But desperation doesn’t change the law—and compassion doesn’t require us to deny reality.”
Quoting Proverbs 6:30–31, Chatfield explained that Scripture recognizes understandable motives for wrongdoing without removing consequences. “Understanding the motive doesn’t eliminate the consequence. The law was still broken,” he said.
The Church’s Role vs. the Government’s Role
Where Chatfield draws a sharp distinction is between the role of government and the role of the church.
“The church exists to show mercy. The government exists to enforce law. Those are two different functions given by God for two different purposes,” he said.
Quoting Matthew 25, Chatfield emphasized that Christians are commanded to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger—regardless of legal status. But expecting the government to operate as the church, or the church to operate as the government, leads to confusion and dysfunction.
Media Narratives and Manufactured Outrage
Chatfield then turned to what he called one of the most dangerous elements of the current moment: media manipulation.
“Stories are being framed in ways that leave out critical context… designed to make you angry so that you stop thinking and start reacting,” he warned.
As an example, he addressed a viral story involving a 5-year-old child and ICE agents. Contrary to headlines alleging kidnapping, Chatfield cited official statements explaining that the child’s father fled from law enforcement, leaving his son behind. Officers stayed with the child, fed him, and ensured he was reunited with his family.
“They did not kidnap a child. They protected him after his father abandoned him,” Chatfield said.
A Call to Biblical Maturity
Ultimately, Chatfield challenged believers to reject emotional binaries and embrace biblical clarity.
“You can believe a nation has the right to enforce its borders and also believe every human being is made in the image of God,” he said. “This is not a contradiction. This is biblical maturity.”
As protests increasingly target churches themselves, Chatfield warned that standing on Scripture will invite resistance. “When you stand for biblical truth… You become a threat to the chaos. Christian, you become a target.”
His final encouragement was clear: “Don’t let the outrage control you. Stand on Scripture. Think biblically. Love radically… and walk in the clarity and peace that only the Word of God can give.”
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
