A polarized society

Election season is nearly upon us. While election season may be a fun and exciting time for some who enjoy and are energized by following politics, there are plenty of bad things about election season. More specifically, perhaps it isn’t election season itself that is bad, but that election season can sometimes bring out the worst in people.

 

For example, I’m not much of a social media guy, but I’m even less so during election season. Why is that? As you probably know, social media quickly turns ugly during election season, especially when the subject of politics comes up. It doesn’t have to be this way. Discussing politics on social media often devolves into misunderstanding, misrepresenting, and even insulting those of other opinions. This ought not to be so.

 

Should we as Christians be discussing politics? Of course! After all, our faith in Jesus Christ is to be lived out in our everyday lives, not picked up on Sunday mornings and dropped on Sunday afternoon. Is there such a thing as “right” and “wrong” in politics? Of course! As Christians, we should always seek out the truth. While discussing politics and voting in elections are good for us as Christians to do, it is also good to keep in mind the “how” of these discussions.

 

In our polarized society, it is all too easy for us to join in with the “us vs. them” mentality. But that is not the way of Christ. As Christians, we are called to speak well of others, we are called to put the most charitable construction on all that others say and do, and we are called to protect the reputation of others. This kind of talk may not be popular, this kind of talk may not get as many views on media outlets or as many “likes” or “shares” on social media, but this is the way of Christ.

 

So when you gather as the body of Christ in your local church and you’re confident the person sitting in the pew across from you will be voting differently than you, remember that they are your brother or sister in Christ. When you’re with friends or family and the topic of politics comes up, remember, they are not your enemy, they are your friend.

 

And when you’re tempted to speak harshly or insult those with different politics than you, remember, that is not the way of Christ.

 

The way of Christ is to “speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15). Since we are by nature sinful and unclean, it can be hard to speak the truth in love, speak with kindness and respect, and put the most charitable construction on what others say and do. But Jesus left us His Holy Spirit who works through the Word to grow fruit in our lives; the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And when we fail in this regard, we confess our sin to Jesus, knowing that He is faithful and just and will forgive us of all unrighteousness. May the Lord grant you wisdom if/as you discuss politics during this election season.