A Combative Election Season

Dear Friends,

This election season promises to be one of the most combative in our lifetime. We’ve had just a small taste of the uncivil war of words to come. Many of us need only recall some of our own rhetoric to know that James had it right when he wrote, “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.” James 3:8-9 (NASB)

If I’m going to honor God this election season, I’m going to have to develop strong guidelines. Where better to look for guidelines than the Scriptures?

Guideline #1 Trust in the Lord. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:3-6

Guideline 2: Be patient. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” Psalm 37:7-9

Guideline 3: Seek the truth. “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8b (NLT)

“O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.” Psalm 119:169

Guideline 4: Choose your words carefully. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

“When you talk, do not say harmful things. But say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will help those who listen to you.” Ephesians 4:29 (ICB)

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs 16:24b (NIV)

“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” Proverbs 17:28

Guideline 5: Remember — God’s in charge. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 Always be joyful. “Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

Guideline 6: Pray that the candidates will try to observe Guidelines 1-5! “’Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.’” Matthew 19:26

Blessings, Your Friends in Christ