I’ve always heard it said, “Never discuss religion and politics.” Add social media where the conversation is not face to face, and watch out!
However, this is not too practical since we live in a world dominated by politics. As a follower of Christ, you must both talk about Christ and live Christ in faithful ways – even in the midst of a political world. Thus, in reality, to not discuss religion and politics may keep some kind of peace, but in the end, that advice does not work. Instead, we must learn to speak about politics as Christ-followers in a way that both honors God and demonstrates love to our neighbors. Here are seven guidelines that make that possible.
7 Guidelines for Talking Politics as a Christian
Good Speech Begins with Love
As Christians who are in the body of Christ, Paul sets the standard for our communication so that we are people who speak the truth in love. When we speak to each other, we must speak in ways that build each other up into Christ. Paul writes, “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Eph 4:15). Truthful speech and loving speech. To speak only the truth without love fails to meet God’s standard. John Broger once said, “To speak the truth without love is like doing surgery without anesthesia.” Further, to seek to be loving without speaking the truth fails as well. Whatever we say regarding any and every issue needs to faithfully satisfy both commands.
Be Honest
As you communicate, seek to be honest. Paul the Apostle also says, “Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another” (Eph 4:25). You may accidentally say something misinformed occasionally; however, the goal and standard is honesty. This means we must watch our assumptions, hunches, and pure opinion. Whatever we say must be as truthful as it possibly can be. Therefore, we choose our words carefully and edit ourselves to make sure that speculation, back-door communication, innuendo, and other forms of dishonest communication are out. Instead, we speak the closest things we can to truth as honest people.
Be Angry and Sin Not
Living in a world filled with sinners, sufferers, and under governmental influence, often one may find him or herself angry. The Bible does not forbid anger. Paul writes, “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil” (Eph 4:26-27). Although it is appropriate to be angry about sin against God or sin against our neighbors, that anger should serve to help us move toward a biblical solution. Our anger fails us anytime it leads us to sin. In this sense, anger has a very short shelf life. If you hold anger long, it corrupts, becomes rotten, and produces what does not honor the Lord. But rather, if something righteously produces anger, that anger should be used to get you moving toward a biblical, God-honoring solution.
Attack the Problem not the Person
When discussing politics, the focus of the conversation pinpoints the problem not the person with the problem. Another way to say this is, consider the conduct of the individual not attack the person’s character. Paul writes, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph 4:29-30). This means that you communicate about things which are said and things which are done. What you see and hear becomes the subject of the conversation. We must not attack the person’s character by discussing those things beyond what is said or done. We can ask questions to better discern another person’s thoughts or motives; however, we fail to honor Christ whenever we assume another person’s thoughts or motives. Therefore, we stick as closely as we can to the facts as we see and hear them. In the process, seek to shy away from words that exaggerate the issue, such as: “You always…” “You never…” “I’ve never seen someone as … as you.” Name-calling would also be considered attacking the person instead of the problem.
Act, Don’t React
This guideline plays an important role in political discussion. We see, read, or hear something, and, for many of us, our tendency is to respond back quickly. In this moment, we should exercise patience and restraint. Wait until later to respond, share, or quickly answer back. Paul writes, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:31-32). Therefore, we choose to speak or act in kindness, tenderheartedness, and with grace toward each other. If we allow ourselves to react with bitterness, anger, loud speech, malice, or in evil, we fail both God and our neighbor. Instead, we seek to choose our responses for the glory of God.
Demonstrate Respect for God’s Plan and the Political Office
Whatever topic you discuss, respect for both God’s plan and the political office are necessary (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-17). Although sinners sit in the seats of government, the offices they hold are ordained by God. God provides us government for our beneficial good. As such, we are to respect the offices and, as much as humanly possible, treat the office-holders with respect. We may not agree with him or her on anything necessarily – the person’s politics or their lifestyle. However, our respect flows out of our understanding of and submission to God’s plan. Although we may totally disagree with the person’s politics and lifestyle, we choose respect whenever we follow the other guidelines mentioned here.
Remember the Importance of the Gospel, the Body of Christ, and Community
As you communicate, remember we the importance of the Gospel, the body of Christ, and the community at large (1 Pet 2:17). As Christians, we are responsible to live Jesus Christ consistently everywhere we go and in everything we do (1 Cor 10:31; Phil 1:0-21; Eph 4:1-6; 1 Pet 2:11-12). If our words in any way minimize the Gospel, then we fail. Whenever we communicate, we must seek to honor the body of Christ, to see others as our brothers and sisters, and to promote unity among the brethren. Further, because of the Gospel’s importance, we use our words in loving ways toward those in our community (Matt 22:39). Our words should bring light, demonstrate the clarity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and serve those in the church and in the community at large.
Two Implications for Daily Living
Are any of us perfect? OK – Since none of us are perfect…
These seven guidelines provide us a way forward in the discussion of religion and politics. You do not have to like the politician or the policies, but we must talk about those things according to God’s will and up to His standards. Will you be perfect? No. I fail often. When I do, I seek to correct those things immediately. As I engage politics, most often I pass on giving my opinion completely. I seek to be as neutral as possible when it comes to communicating my preferences on politics. I do not want my political opinions to get in the way of my much larger goals of serving my community well and honoring Christ.
At times though, each of us will make political statements. When we do, these biblical guidelines serve to help us. When we fail, we need to repent to all the parties necessary and seek their forgiveness as quickly as possible.
What is our highest motivation?
As you prepare to communicate in any form related to politics, ask yourself, “What is my highest motivation?” Is it to love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:38-40)? Or is it possibly to win, demonstrate anger, create hurt, or just speak the truth? In all reality, there are hundreds and hundreds of things that may motivate your speech. The highest motivation is not political or even a particular political reason; rather, the highest motivation comes from a clear understanding of the Gospel and Christ’s love for each of us (2 Cor 5:14-15). As we consider these things, we allow Christ’s love and His demonstration of His love toward us by grace to motivate us to communicate in ways that honor the Lord.
Here are three questions you can ask about your motivation: 1) Am I more passionate about a political party, position, or goal than I am the Gospel? 2) Do I see people through a Gospel-lens or a political-lens, as for me or against me, as friend or foe? And, 3) Do I ever connect my politics with my religious practice (i.e., “Religious right,” “If you are a Christian, you are a Republican,” etc.)
May God help us to follow His standard as we seek to love Christ and our neighbors well.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together