Before you speak: 10 Principles for Christ-honoring conversations in a crazy election season

The closer we get to election day, the more weighty even casual conversations begin to feel. At this point, any conversation is a veritable field of landmines. We may make assumptions about how people think or vote— only to discover we are wrong. Or we say something that seems benign, but offends, deeply. We could sever relationships forever by what is said in the heat of the moment. 

People feel very, very strongly about how they feel. The middle ground of friendly conversation on politics has all but eroded.

And yet.

Our calling to be Christ’s ambassadors— to be the salt and light, to be His representatives to the world— has not been put on pause because there’s a contentious election in the United States. 

Friends, what we say, how we speak, it matters. The persuasion we should be most interested in is not how to win someone over to the donkey or elephant— but the lamb of God. How we engage with others during this time is firstly about our witness of Christ.

The election season will end. The Kingdom of God will not. So how can we have conversations today that bring God glory and honor on November 6, and 7, and beyond? 

1. Jesus is Lord. 

Period. Full stop. No one is voting Him off the throne. Ever. 

Nations rise and fall. God’s Word and God’s Kingdom endure forever. This is THE perspective of the Christian on politics and everything else.

2. Participation in politics is a privilege.

Thank God for the privilege of living as a free person in a free society. This is a helpful level-set for us all. When we are tempted to throw our hands up and tune it all out— consider that God placed you in this country, at this time, with this election, and this incredible privilege to act and vote. How might he be calling you to be HIS witness right now?

3. The Bible has a lot to say about politics and how we are to participate in them.

Before we speak, we should actually know what the Bible says — the whole Bible. We can’t cherry pick our preferred parts and discard the rest. 

A few examples: Seek the welfare of the city (Jeremiah 29:7). Pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-7). Pay your taxes (Matthew 22:15-22). 

4. There is a spiritual battle being waged and there is an eternal conversation being had.

This perspective goes beyond what the world often sees and we must be careful how we use these images and language in the marketplace of ideas. But, there is a spiritual realm and it bears on the world and everything in it – including the politics of the day. 

5. World and national politics is largely out of our control, but not God’s.

It can feel utterly out of control, but in actuality, God remains in control. God has not lost track of the script. There’s a redemptive arc and it is being worked out in His good and perfect time. Bottom line: we know how it ends! (see Revelation 21 and 22).

6. Most people simply repeat the last talking point they heard from whoever they perceive to be on their side or most likely to advocate for their personal comfort. So, you have to be curious and press in. Ask good questions. Consider that all politics is personal— what might be going on inside the person (created, loved by God) before you? 

7. The issue behind every issue is ultimately God. 

Get to the God issue. Get to the God conversation. That’s your area of expertise as an Ambassador of the king and the kingdom. (If you are wondering how to do that, I actually wrote a book about it! Speak the Truth: How to Bring God into Every Conversation.)

8. Don’t expect people who are not Christians to think, talk, vote or value what you value as a Christian. 

Why would a person who does not know God be interested in following the ways of God? 

9. Pray the Lord’s prayer and say the apostles Creed – like you mean it – considering the communal (political) nature of every phrase. 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

10. Keep your peace, give the Holy Spirit the room, and resist the temptation to just give someone another piece of your mind.

Ok, so how do we make this real?

Practice

Remember— it’s all personal! Practice asking good questions. Practice listening well and reflecting back what the person has said, so that you can show them you really understand what they are saying— not just a straw-man version of their argument. Genuine communication is not complete until the other person is able to reflect back to you what you said. Most people want to be heard— truly heard— more than anything else. And sometimes that means getting beyond the talking points to what’s real. Some suggestions:

• “I’m curious…”
• “I’m concerned…”
• “You are very passionate about _____. Is there a story behind that? Is it personal for you?”
• “I’m interested to know how you arrived at that position. Tell me more.” 

Reflect

After a conversation, perhaps after a conversation that didn’t go particularly well, take a minute to reflect. You may be tempted to relive the argument over and over in your head— maybe coming up with better and better comebacks each time! Instead, step back and process what happened at a heart level. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• React…how did I react? How did the other person react? 
• Reflect…why did I react that way? Why did they react that way? 
• Is that how I want to react as a Christian? 
• Do I need to lay down my right to be right?
• Do I need to repent? 
• Do I need to reengage in the opposite spirit? 
• How might I redirect the conversation? 
• If I am truly a minister of reconciliation, an agent of grace, a sower of peace, at an ambassador of King Jesus and the kingdom of God, then how am I called in this moment to respond? 
• Insofar it depends on me, am I seeking to live peaceably with everyone, especially those within the household of God? 
• Do I need to keep my peace and give the Holy Spirit the room? 

Above all remember: God wins. No matter who wins a debate or even an election, God wins. When we can engage from a position of peace in the One who is already victorious and on the throne forever— well, everything changes. We don’t get agitated because our identity is not dependent on proving our rightness at that moment and our ultimate security doesn’t change based on who is in the White House.

Here’s some homework: Read through Romans 12. It is challenging to our modern ears, but it is God’s Word, given for us. How does this passage say we should live in times like these? How does it influence the next conversation? Perhaps print it out and memorize it so that you always have God’s word first on your tongue— before you speak anything else.

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.