I’ve tried to ignore the elephant in the room, but I feel the Holy Spirit wants me to talk about something rather unpleasant: POLITICS. In the West, our political climate is filled with division, misunderstanding, and hostility as opposing parties battle for dominance. It’s hard to engage in any discussions about our government (even though we know we should be able to) without risking getting ridiculed or rebuked.

As Christians, what’s our role in all this? Can we be salt and light in such a contentious atmosphere? Or is our best course of action to just keep our heads down, ignoring any attempts to draw us into a political conversation?

After much prayer and reflection, I’ve decided there are steps we can take to counter the current mood. Jesus wants us to represent Him in every area of life, so I don’t see why politics should be an exception. Some might disagree when I say I don’t think He’s called us to a particular SIDE in the political debate. But I think we can all agree on some biblical PRINCIPLES that will help us engage in these discussions in a godly way. That’s what I’d like to focus on in this devotional.

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).

JESUS CALLS HIS DISCIPLES TO A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIFE – a life of love, service, and self-denial. He wants us to be counter-cultural to the secular society around us. Yet Christians often fall into the same kinds of attitudes exhibited in the political realm. We begin to fight for our causes with the same weapons they use, making us indistinguishable from our worldly counterparts.

Whether we are liberal or conservative, in favor of more or less government, more concerned with economic issues or social ones, we are called as Christians to “put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature … anger, rage, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other. As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:5, 8-9, 12-14).

HOW WE ADVOCATE FOR OUR VIEWS MATTERS. Jesus said how we treat our “enemies” – those who disagree with us and oppose us – is the mark of a truly spiritual person. As His disciples, we are supposed to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). We should never consider using underhanded, questionable tactics to accomplish our Christian purposes. The end does NOT justify an ungodly means.

Here are a few suggestions for political encounters. Whether we are talking face to face with someone or responding to a post on social media, we must always remember the One we represent and act as He would.

1. Never resort to name calling or labeling. To call someone you disagree with a derogatory name never advances a cause. It invites a retaliatory response. This is behavior we’d expect to see from small children on a playground, not grown adults! Sometimes people on social media attack their opponents by labeling them … putting them in some reprehensible group (like fascists, racists, terrorists, etc.). Again, this is a childish and unfair tactic. While people in a group do share certain characteristics and values, everyone is still a unique INDIVIDUAL and should be addressed that way. Even if we find their viewpoint abhorrent, we should extend grace to them as individuals made in God’s image. They should expect to be treated with dignity and respect by Christians. This is, after all, how we want to be treated by our adversaries. Jesus made this clear: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).
2. Consider your opponent’s point of view carefully before responding. Find anything good in it that you can agree with and begin there. Usually there is some element of truth and common understanding that you can identify with – like a shared concern for safety, strong families, or national interests. Commend what you can commend, and then kindly offer your view. Jesus saw peacemaking as a way to bridge the gap between those who know God and those who don’t. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). What good is it to “win” an argument if it means alienating yourself from the person you are seeking to influence?
3. Refuse to participate in fake news. Even if something posted or reported seems to advance a Christian worldview, check out the source to make sure what is being reported is TRUE. Jesus’ disciples should be people of truth, even if it seems to work against our goals. The world should be able to count on our truthfulness. Paul’s ministry among the Gentiles included “purity, understanding, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God” (2 Corinthians 6:6-7).
4. Keep eternity’s values in mind. Which is more important: to score points for our side, or to introduce another person to Christ? Our spiritual “enemies” may not ever become Christians, but we should ensure to the best of our ability that they have every opportunity to choose Him. Gandhi, the Indian activist, famously commented that he might have become a Christian if the Christians he met had been more like Christ. Jesus cares about every person on earth. If we want to be His representative, we need to care more about someone’s soul than his or her political views. “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited” (2 Corinthians 6:3).
5. Be reasonable, courteous, and civil in every dialogue you have. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “Set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). We can use the current political climate as an opportunity to exhibit the beautiful character of Christ. As we respond to our political opponents with His mercy, we show the world THERE IS A BETTER WAY. It’s not easy, that’s for sure. It’s far too tempting to fall into the same blaming, accusatory, and hate tactics our politicians engage in for political gain. It’s hard to be the one to turn the other cheek.

Because I have friends from all walks of life and philosophical backgrounds, I sometimes read things on Facebook that send my blood pressure through the roof. My flesh wants to strike back, rebut, and/or post counter arguments I believe better reflect the reality of the world. When this happens I have to take a deep breath and pray: Lord, what would glorify you here? He wants to see people repent and believe the Gospel far more than I do. So I have to let Him take the lead in my conversations. Me dashing off something under the inspiration of my old sinful nature isn’t going to help bring that person to the truth!

When we sense the Holy Spirit giving us the green light to engage with those who disagree with us, we need to enter into the dialogue with humility, prayerfully seeking His wisdom to share. It’s important for Christians to unashamedly stand for God’s truth, but Scripture warns us to always speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is to NOT engage in a political conversation, especially when we’re feeling angry or defensive.

But when we can, with the right attitude, discuss the latest issues our country faces without adding to the current turmoil, we become role models for our society. This kind of engagement will always glorify Jesus. Respectful disagreement, understanding, and truthful exchanges open the way for the Holy Spirit to work in all our hearts, bringing reconciliation and peace into a world that sorely needs it.

We should be concerned about the hateful atmosphere in our countries and do what we can to counter it, remembering we have a beautiful promise from God. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).