Can Christians Really, Truly Talk About Politics IN LOVE?

(FYI, I won't be sharing any of my political views in this blog, in case you were wondering whether you should read on. I'm just discussing the discussion of politics. You're welcome:)

Christians are always talking about speaking truth in love, but their actions don't always follow their words.

If a Christian is in a different political party than me, does that mean they are not a Christian?

Too many people talk of politics without love and then they think they can try to follow that up with talking about Jesus in love, after they've basically turned unbelievers and believers alike away.

So, the answer is obviously to never talk about politics... or is it?

A friend of mine recently said it well:

"We lose our witness when we speak unkindly or abrasively (about politics) without love with no repentance or apology. Trying to share the Gospel after that is sometimes, sadly, probably laughable for many unbelievers.

"I also definitely agree that we should be responsible citizens and vote according to how we feel Biblical principles are applied, and in turn be ready to explain/support how we vote!

I think that the issue comes when people treat a political candidate or party or even their voting choice as equivalent to Gospel."

TRUTH.

However, this sadly leads many Christians to never discuss politics, or any other topics on which they might disagree. The Bible literally says iron sharpens iron. It also says to speak in love.

You see, I am concerned when Christians (but of course not you, reader:) hold moral beliefs that are so clearly opposed to the Bible.

Either they're immature Christians, severally compromised and deceived Christians, rebellious Christians, or not true Christians...

OR... (get this)...

I'm wrong and need to talk about these things so I can learn and be convicted too!

(When I talk about wondering if someone is truly a Christian, I am specifically talking about moral beliefs, and not economic or secondary perspectives and beliefs, although those can be discussed as well. If I have different views on taxes than another Christian, I am not automatically saying they're not a Christian. That's preposterous. I just want to talk more so that we can both find out what's true.)

To bring truth to light, it must first be exposed and brought into the light. We should not throw politics under the rug and ignore it.

Therefore, I can be concerned whether a professing Christian is truly a Christian or not... inwardly. We are called to judge rightly, test the spirits, and base everything off the Word of God.

This does NOT mean I post about it hatefully on social media, or gossip about it. It also doesn’t mean that I automatically talk to the other person with whom I am disagreeing.

Or maybe it does… with the right attitude and posture.

So, how to do that?

I WANT TO KNOW HOW THAT LITERALLY LOOKS IN A CONVERSATION.

I fall short sometimes, so the below steps are ideal, but I am certainly not perfect.

1. Personally, I try to start from assuming that I don't know everything. I aim to be humble, and ready to learn.

(I am not saying don't have self-confidence. I am saying don't be arrogant.)

2. If I disagree with another Christian about something political, moral, or an entirely different Biblical or practical subject, I try to approach them calmly and make small talk/random conversation.

3. If the topic of disagreement comes up, I ask them their opinion.

4. I agree with what I can, I ask questions about what I don’t understand or disagree with, and I often leave the conversation just at that.

Seriously, sometimes true maturity is found in asking someone's opinion, and truly listening without sharing your opinion.

5. Then I pray for them and myself, maybe research stuff they told me, etc. I might have been wrong and they may have shown me the truth!

6. But if I still strongly disagree with their moral political position, and the topic comes up again, I will listen first.

7. I may tactfully tell them why I disagree (clear, short, and sweet), at an APPROPRIATE time in the conversation.

8. Then I'll ask them what they think. We should aim to listen more than we speak.

Let me repeat that for the people in the back...

WE SHOULD AIM TO LISTEN MORE THAN WE SPEAK.

I try to never get upset or raise my voice. I keep praying, keep researching, and keep telling them, at socially appropriate times, what I think and why, and then let them keep talking.

Maybe I never even tell them what I believe, UNLESS they ask what I think!

(What a novel idea in this day and age.)

Others tend to ask my opinion more often if I listen more than I talk. It's building a bridge of trust that can bare the weight of truth, as my pastor says.

Plus, people like to talk about themselves, and they also like you if you let them talk about themselves.

So please pray, research, listen more than you speak, and occasionally insert opinions with LOVE and RESEARCH.

Then again ask what they think, sit back and listen, and pray some more. Repeat.

Honestly, this doesn't have to just pertain to politics. Why not use this approach with everyone on all topics?

(To clarify, there might be a time to be super bold with someone I know well, in love, if God guides me to speak truth to them. I'm sure there are also appropriate times to post about politics online! But here I’m just talking about the majority of times when we’re not specifically called to do these things.)

Therefore, if there’s a Christian in a different political party than me, or on another spectrum regarding moral beliefs, I am concerned about them. I think we all should be.

BUT, I will not choose to yell about it on social media.

I believe truth is truth, and if they are actually correct, I want to know.

P.S. By the picture above, I am not trying to make a political statement that God is (or isn't) a moderate. I also don't know why the red is on the left, and the blue is on the right. I just thought it was a cool picture with a cross in the middle, lol

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