(This article also includes a podcast discussion. Click the play button below, or subscribe and listen on your Apple or Google podcast app.)
We are reaching the end of a very hostile, emotional, and fear-fueled election in America. Whatever happens, our country is going to be at war with itself. Republicans and Democrats will be at each other’s throats. The “losing side” will riot and cause violence. People will post political opinions and end with “If you have a problem with this, just remove me from your friend’s list.” There will be gloating and cries of conspiracy. Those who are without Christ are going to have their sin nature on full display.
In the midst of all of this, Christians are going to join in this foolishness and make an absolute mockery of everything their Savior calls them to. They’re going to be vile, divisive, hurtful, and a poor ambassador of Jesus Christ. Social media is going to take our pride, anger, and fear and amplify it in ways that serve no one but ourselves.
If you’re reading this and you live in America, this will easily be you. Maybe it already is. Please, before you compromise the gospel for the sake of your politics, just consider how God wants His children to use their words (and keyboards) for His glory instead of their own.
If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. (James 1:26)
Do you want people to laugh at your testimony? Do you want Christ to be diminished at the expense of your need to share your opinion? Do you want to close off your opportunity to share the gospel with someone on the other side of the political spectrum? Then go ahead and get in that argument, share the mocking memes, and post article after article meant to get pats on the back by people who agree with you.
Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:29-32)
Before you say or share anything related to politics, read this passage. If you still want to share, you may want to read it again. Pause and seriously ask yourself “Is what I’m about to put online going to build people up to glorify Christ? Did Christ have to endure more of God’s wrath for what I’m about to say?” If what you’re about to say is posted in anger, or if it’s going to push people away from the cross, read Galatians 2:20 and ask yourself if the choice you’re making at that moment belongs to you or Christ.
When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable,
But one who restrains his lips is wise. (Proverbs 10:19)
The more you talk, especially in such an emotional time, the more likely you are to be a poor representative of the Savior who died to make you a citizen of Heaven. Wisdom belongs to those who want to hit that “share” button, or submit that argumentative comment… but don’t because they care more about Christ.
Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. “For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. (Matthew 10:34-36)
Christ doesn’t call us to be mild or timid. He calls us to expect people to hate us, and even promises that families will divide over the gospel. Yet people aren’t meant to hate us for our political opinions or how we behave online – they are meant to hate us because of who we represent. As you conduct yourself online, make sure people hate you because you represent Christ, instead of making them hate Christ because you claim to represent Him.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Christian, for the sake of Jesus Christ, please be weird. Be different. Everyone else is going to be shouting, rioting, and giving in to a tribal mentality that may end in several deaths across the country. Be above it, because Christ calls for you to separate from the way the world thinks and acts. Don’t go along with what the world is doing, but instead let your thinking be transformed by the Holy Spirit so that you can respond to this election with peace in the midst of chaos, wisdom in the midst of foolishness, and love in the midst of many people who will be hurt and afraid.
You will see your brothers and sisters giving in to this. Don’t let their conformity to the world be your excuse to join them.
For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more… I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. (1 Corinthians 9:19, 23)
Paul is our example of what the Christian life should look like. Everything we do is for the sake of the gospel above all else. That affects every area of our lives, including how we talk about politics.
As this political season finally winds to a close, don’t be marked by your desire to win an argument or force others to listen to your opinion. Instead, desire nothing greater than the elevation of Jesus Christ and the freedom He offers through the gospel. When we desire the glory of Christ above all else, we will also desire the self-control needed to avoid anything that would stand in the way of that desire.
(Want to read more? Check out these two articles: “Stand With Christ, Not Your Political Party” and “Let Christ Be Offensive, Not You”)
