I’ve been troubled lately by some posts I’ve seen on social media. I know … this is nothing new. There’s always something we can find on those sites that we don’t like to see or read! But in this case, the entries that trouble me are posted by fellow Christians. We all see things from our own perspective, depending upon our life circumstances and past experiences. And all of us are entitled to our opinion. But does that mean we should feel entitled to air our opinions without considering how our view will impact others? Reading these posts—which are politically polarizing—I couldn’t help but recall lyrics from one of Bob Dylan’s songs.

It’s a restless hungry feeling that don’t mean no one no good, when everything I’m a-saying, you can say it just as good. You’re right from your side, I am right from mine. We’re both just one too many mornings and a thousand miles behind.

I think it would be helpful as followers of Jesus to ask ourselves some hard questions, beginning with this one: How is it helpful to share political opinions on social media? Are we likely to change someone’s mind about how the government should operate? What will be the likely outcome of my comment … is it more likely to promote peace or discord? Often, such political comments are an attempt to exalt one ideology, group, or leader over another. While it will likely appeal to those who think like us, it’ll have the opposite effect on those who don’t share our views. This practice of exalting one leader over another is what Paul warned the Corinthians against in 1 Corinthians 3 and 4. “If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become ‘fools’ so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. So then, no more boasting about human leaders!” (3:18-19, 21) Jesus is the only leader we can boast about without fearing He will fail to live up to our expectations. He alone is worthy of being emulated and exalted. So my loyalty as a Christian should start and end in Him.

You might be thinking: But aren’t we supposed to be engaged in politics if we live in a democratic country? Isn’t that our duty as citizens? In theory I’d heartily agree. In a democracy we’re expected to be informed about issues, to vote intelligently, and to support the best candidates running for office. But here’s the problem in our world today: The sources of information we rely on have become so corrupted—on both sides of the political spectrum—that we cannot be sure of anything we hear or read. Finding unbiased, unedited, unfiltered, or un-doctored reporting is nearly an impossibility. So why do we allow ourselves to get so emotional about news reports, which may or may not even be true? Sadly, they can manipulate us to such an extent that we find ourselves resorting to name-calling, ridiculing, blaming, and shaming those we think are responsible for whatever problem we see. These attitudes are the exact opposite of what Jesus called us to be in the world. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34).

Paul echoed this command in Philippians 2:14-15, encouraging the believers to stand out from the world in their attitudes and conduct so they could be lights for the Lord. “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”   

One thing we do know for sure in this age of fake news and misinformation—Such divisive behavior is fostered and promoted by the enemy of our souls. His desire is to divide and conquer the people of God so he can control us and operate without opposition. He actively seeks to create environments of suspicion, hatred, and strife, pitting one group of people against another. Sadly even Christians can get sucked into his schemes if our desire is to gain supremacy and have things go “our way.”

James called this kind of worldly wisdom “earthly, unspiritual, demonic,” leading to “disorder and every evil practice.” Instead, we should model God’s wisdom—the wisdom that comes from heaven. It’s “pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:16-17). After all, as Paul told the church in Philippians 3:20, “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

In all circumstances and at all times, Christians are ambassadors for the Lord Jesus. That’s why it’s important that we don’t allow our loyalty to a political party or its leader, or the views of a particular social commentary or agenda to supersede our loyalty to the Lord and His body of believers. A bumper sticker we saw back in the 1970s read “Jesus is the Answer.” Some at the time ridiculed such a simplistic slogan, but it’s true. Whatever problems we face won’t be fixed in any permanent way by a political, social, or philosophical movement. Only Jesus can transform human hearts and enable us to love even our “enemies.” His church today needs Jesus’ reminder in Revelation 2:4-5 (NLT). “I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.”

The “first works” following salvation are marked by two things: fervency and gratitude. I remember how grateful I was to be forgiven of my sins and accepted into God’s family. I also recall how I valued my new brothers and sisters in Christ. They were precious gifts, encouraging and teaching me as I got my “faith legs” under me. I never took them for granted (like I’m prone to do today). We freely extended mercy to one another when we had a conflict because we knew our disunity would personally grieve the Lord. When Saul encountered Jesus on the Damascus Road, Jesus identified with His people, asking him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute ME?” (Acts 9:4).  

Today, we may not agree with everything another Christian says or does, but we must remember that our relationship goes deeper than political convictions. That’s why it matters how we treat each other, whether in person or on the Internet. Saul was transformed by Christ’s love and later wrote to the Galatian believers: “Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:13-15). Let’s not engage in “friendly fire” when we encounter believers who don’t think like we do. Let’s pray for each other and seek to find common ground instead. After all, Jesus said we’d be recognized as His disciples by our love for one another.     

Father, thank you for your love and grace. May I honor you by sharing your kindness and generosity with everyone I meet. Forgive me for getting carried away with the world’s cares and concerns to such an extent that I lose sight of my main responsibility as a disciple of Jesus. Alert me to the schemes of Satan so I don’t inadvertently promote his kingdom rather than yours. Renew my sense of gratitude for all I’ve been given through Jesus and reignite love in me for all my spiritual brothers and sisters. You alone are worthy of my undivided love and loyalty, Lord, now and forever. Amen.