Two Things at Once

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24).

In all probability you have, at least, heard the name Taylor Swift. And, sidebar: writing this is hard. It’s hard because it puts a comfortable sin in the spotlight.

What sin?

The appearance of evil and serving two masters.

Let’s unpack this and get to the point.

Over the summer, footage from Netflix’s 2020 documentary Miss Americana resurfaced, showing a visibly upset Swift in an argument concerning politics with her father in 2018.

“…[J]ust from a security standpoint,” her father urged, imagining the headline, “Taylor Swift comes out against Donald Trump…”

“I don’t care if they write that,” Swift said sharply cutting her father off. “I’m sad I didn’t two years ago.”

The conversation shifted to U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn. “I need to be on the right side of history … it really is a big deal to me … I can’t see another commercial and see her disguising these policies behind the words ‘Tennessee Christian Values.’

Swift went on, “Those aren’t Tennessee Christian Values. I live in Tennessee. I am Christian. That’s not what we stand for.”

So, what does Taylor Swift stand for and why does it matter? Why does a clip from a documentary from going on four years ago have any value now?

There is no way around acknowledging Swift’s accomplishments as a musician and artist. The empire Swift has built is something you see once in a lifetime.

In 2018, Swift took her first public political stand via a post on Instagram which garnered over 2.2 million “likes.”

Her caption read,

“I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG … I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values …”

Human Rights. Hmmm. A quick dive into the history of the former Governor and known eugenicist, Phil Bredesen, will unearth a cesspool of evil. In a 1987 interview with the Nashville Banner that resurfaced during his 2018 race against Senator Blackburn, Bredesen is on the record saying, “I am opposed to federal funding of it [abortion], except in the case of danger to the life … or children with substantial development deformities such as Down syndrome.”

So, to further break it down, Taylor Swift is pro-basic human rights and also, by default, the murder of unborn children just because they possess an extra chromosome.

In 2006, Bredesen also voted in favor of banning gay marriage, which seems glaringly off-brand of the “You Need To Calm Down” singer.

On June 9, 2020, the megastar Tweeted:

“Racial injustice has been ingrained deeply into local and state governments, and changes MUST be made there. In order for policies to change, we need to elect people who will fight against police brutality and racism of any kind. #BlackLivesMatter”

Just a few weeks later on October 7^th, Swift took to Instagram to cast her unofficial vote for Joe Biden in the then upcoming election. The same Joe Biden who, during his time as a U.S. politician, has historically made it out of the woods time and time again after racial remarks and slurs. In a 2019 debate, his now ticket-mate and Vice President Kamala Harris told of how his racism impacted her as a young girl.

"There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools and she was bused to school every day. That little girl was me.”

Treacherous.

It appears the entertainment industry mastermind may not be doing the proper vetting, if any, before endorsing these candidates. A pattern we know all too well.

Swift is currently on month seven of her twenty-month “Era’s Tour” which, according to a fortune.com article, is projected to have a $4.6 Billion impact on the U.S. economy: higher than the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many countries.

Recently in the news, it has been confirmed that Swift is dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end and newest Pfizer posterchild, Travis Kelce. According to the NFL star, you can now get two jabs at once – flu and Covid19.

Since the pair stepped out together in September of this year, the football league has experienced an economic boost of its own as viewer ratings rise into the 20 millions and ticket and merch sales swell to all-time highs.

Following a surge of young voters, Swift’s name is in the mouths of politicians like California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom calling her influence on the upcoming election “profoundly powerful.”

So, why does it matter?

Maybe you’re no Swiftie, but if you are a believer it is high time to reevaluate the entertainment media you are consuming and the celebrities you associate yourself with. It’s not fun to cut ties with the movie stars and musicians who raised you, but Scripture is explicit in instructing us to put off even the appearance of evil.

Someone could not hang their life’s work on the hook of being pro-life and pro-the way the Bible says to do it, all while cheering on Hollyweirdos who use their platform to champion blasphemous, anti-biblical, anti-God practices and lifestyles. We cannot serve God and the world. We must choose.

Furthermore, any Bible-believing, God-honoring Christian who honors the sanctity of human life would tell you the slaughtering of the unborn and advocating for people to continue living in their sin are not Tennessee Christian values.

It’s more than politics, it’s more than an upcoming election. The Prince of Darkness declared war on the hearts and minds of God’s people long ago in the garden with a girl and an apple. His schemes and stunts are nothing new, but we must be on our guard.

A fan pointed out on Twitter, “If Taylor Swift started a country with her followers, she would have the 5th most populated country in the world.”

You are one of 300+ million U.S. citizens. Alone, one of us couldn’t in our wildest dreams make the difference our country is so desperate for. But together, if we are obedient to Scripture and put off the appearance of evil choosing this day to serve God and restore His rightful place in our lives, He will be faithful to bless us.

When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you … you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you (Deuteronomy 20:1-4).