I often unwind by scrolling through social media, latest recipes, holiday ideas, and cute babies. But inevitably, political posts pop up, snapping me out of leisure mode and into anger mode. Can you relate?
Deep emotions arise once I see agendas that contradict God’s Word and opinions that promote wrongdoing. My mind tells me I even have permission to react in righteous anger, however the Holy Spirit cautions me to proceed properly. I’m reminded of Proverbs 15:1, which says, “A delicate answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Of course, addressing political issues has its rightful place, and sometimes, online platforms provide the chance to talk truth. However, reacting in anger rarely results in healthy discussions or favorable outcomes. Proverbs 14:29 (ESV) says, “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”
Displaying Christlikeness in our political beliefs requires us to pause, pray, and present the reality with calm assurance that God continues to be at work. He knows higher than we do the agendas of man and the way it is going to all play out.
Remember, we all know who wins. We know the way the story ends. This political climate pales as compared to the fantastic future we’ve got in Christ. So, when political posts make you offended, listed here are just a few things you possibly can do.
Take a Grown-Up Time Out
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven which are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet which are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a one who stirs up conflict in the neighborhood.” Proverbs 6:16-19
When hot topics come across our radar, it’s tempting to rush into the conversation and post our opinions. Even if what we’re saying is true, it’s “how” we are saying it that matters. Angry responses are never received well. However, after we take a moment to think, reason, pray, and respond, we’ve got a a lot better probability of being heard.
One option to practice that is to picture someone sitting across from you. How would you speak to a live human being versus a phone or computer screen? Unfortunately, the web has desensitized us, a lot in order that we communicate in ungodly ways. And people’s brashness is barely exacerbated the more we react in haste.
The next time a political post makes you offended, take a grown-up day trip and ask, “Lord, how should I respond?” Often, He will prompt you to stay silent and pray for many who are deceived. And when He does provide you with words to talk, they are going to at all times align with His Word.
When doubtful, remember Proverbs 6:18-19, which says, “[The Lord hates] feet which are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a one who stirs up conflict in the neighborhood.” My friends, let’s decelerate, take a deep breath, and resist stirring up much more conflict than there already is.
Pray this before you react in haste: “Lord, please give me Your truth in love, leading me to reply in a way that bears Your light before men. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Nes
Remember Who the Real Enemy Is
It’s human nature to villainize the person behind the post and forget who our real enemy is. This is not to say people aren’t accountable for his or her words – they most actually are – however the Bible is obvious: “For our struggle isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil within the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Remember, those that aren’t following Christ are under the sway of the enemy. They aren’t enthusiastic about God’s standards, subsequently, they do not see an issue promoting worldly agendas and ideologies. As Christians, it’s our job to hope hard for them, asking God for opportunities to witness in probably the most loving, compassionate way possible.
On the opposite hand, when believers are promoting sinful things, we’re to handle it Biblically by following Galatians 6:1-3, which says, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you furthermore mght could also be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens; this manner, you’ll fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they’re something once they are usually not, they deceive themselves.”
Pray this against the enemy’s agenda: “Lord, within the name of Your Son, Jesus, I rebuke Satan and his evil agenda. Please give me compassion for the lost and the correct words to say to guide them back to You, amen.”
When frustration builds, and you desire to lash out, open your Bible to Psalm 37. The words of David, written so way back, are surprisingly relevant to our political issues today.
In verses 1-3, he says, “Do not fret due to those that are evil or be envious of those that do flawed; for just like the grass they are going to soon wither, like green plants they are going to soon die away. Trust within the Lord and do good; dwell within the land and revel in secure pasture.”
To fret means to fret or be annoyed, letting the difficulty gnaw away at your peace. Trust, alternatively, means to firmly imagine within the reliability, truth, or strength of somebody or something.
Do we trust the Lord’s ability to save lots of us from this political firestorm? Can we depend on His strength to beat? Psalm 37:5-6 says, “Commit your option to the Lord; trust in him and he’ll do that: He will make your righteous reward shine just like the dawn, your vindication just like the noonday sun.”
My friend, the Lord is within the business of vindication. He is your defender and your peace! When anger tries to rule your emotions, refuse to partner with it, and as a substitute, turn all of that energy into doing good. Remember verses 7- 8, which say, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; don’t fret when people reach their ways, once they perform their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and switch from wrath; don’t fret—it leads only to evil.”
Let’s not be quick to affix in limitless arguments, but quite, join the Lord in patient understanding that His righteousness will “shine just like the dawn” and His vindication “just like the noonday sun.”
Pray this from Psalm 37: “Lord, help me trust Your timing, that You will indeed vindicate Your people and cause Your righteousness to shine on this dark world. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.”
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Amber N Ford
Fight Back
“The weapons we fight with are usually not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they’ve divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and each pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
As the political battle wages on, and you are feeling defenseless against the weapons of darkness, seize the divine power you have been given – the facility to demolish the best of strongholds. Fight back by:
-Declaring Scripture over your loved ones, community, and country
-Giving praise and honor to the King of Kings
-Rebuking Satan within the mighty name of Jesus
-Loving the lost and hating the sin
-Refusing to let anger get one of the best of you
Take to heart Paul’s words to Timothy when he said, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the nice fight of the religion. Take hold of the everlasting life to which you were called once you made your good confession within the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
Fight the nice fight of religion – faith within the One who knows the start from the top. God isn’t in any respect surprised by what is occurring. He continues to be on His throne, and He continues to be on top of things. And once you come across political posts that make you offended, fix your mind on Psalm 19:14, which says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, OÂ Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (KJV)
Heavenly Father, thank You for calming my heart today, and giving me the wisdom to proceed in love. Please diffuse the anger that threatens to overwhelm me, leading me to react in haste. Give me the calm assurance that You are working all things out for Your glory and my good. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
What about you? Do you end up getting offended once you encounter political posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.? Weigh in here on Crosswalk Forums.Â
Related Resource: Co-Opting Christ: Misusing the Bible and Theological Language in Political Discourse
In this episode of Thinking Christian, James and Nate discuss a number of the ways the Bible and other theological concepts and theologians are pressed into the service of political agendas. They urge listeners to not encourage falsehood, but to carry accountable those that seek to use biblical language to modern-day politics. If this episode of Thinking Christian helped your political perspective, you should definitely subscribe on Apple or Spotify so that you never miss an episode!
More helpful resources to your journey:
5 Things Christians Can Pray for This Presidential Election Season
Pray Vote Stand Panel Weighs in on Christian Voting Principles
7 Ways to Love Your Family When You Disagree Politically
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Brothers91
