Engaging with others in discussion is a vital part of exercising political rights.
When others have different opinions, it can be hard to be respectful. As Christians, we should strive to represent Christ in all we do.
Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Christians should try to answer all political discourse in a way that glorifies God, even when it gets heated.
There are several ways to avoid letting a political discussion get too heated. One of these is to pause before responding. When someone says something we disagree with, it can be easy to get offended and become defensive.
Taking a breath before answering can be extremely helpful in these situations. By taking a pause, you give yourself time to consider what the person said, which also gives you more time to think about your response. This can keep the conversation healthy and prevent it from turning into an argument.
Another way to combat tension is to ask genuine questions. If you ask the person meaningful questions with true intent, they will feel like you want to listen to what they have to say, which defuses any frustration or anger.
Finding common ground is important in any discussion, especially a political one. Most disagreements have some common ground. Start by finding the common ground and work through parts you disagree on, keep in mind what you have in common.
It is important to note that being respectful does not mean you have to compromise your convictions and agree with what the other person is saying. You can stand firmly in your beliefs without being disrespectful.
We should always speak the truth, not tell people what we think they want to hear. However, speaking the truth can be done with love and respect. Our goal should not be to win the argument but to engage in conversation that will reflect Christ’s love.
Lastly, the most important key to keeping a discussion civil is knowing when to step away. Often a conversation will go past the point of being respectful because each person feels the need to have the last word. This can end with each person saying things they don’t really mean in order to make the other person feel inferior.
If you feel a conversation getting to the point of pettiness and anger, the discussion is no longer profitable. When you notice a discussion is headed in a negative direction, it is time to respectfully step away. Calmly say that you can continue the conversation later when both parties have had a chance to calm down.
When having these political discussions, we must remember what Jesus taught us. Mark 12:31 tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. This verse must guide our response to anyone, whether they agree with uspolitically or not, so that we represent Christ well.
We must tell others about Jesus’ love through our words and actions. We cannot say that we are followers of Christ and treat others with disrespect. Our identity as followers of Christ must align with our actions.
Combs is a feature editor for The Liberty Champion.