5 Attitudes Toward Someone With Whom We Disagree

I wish I could have “captured” the discussion generated by this lesson. The most discussion was not about different opinions on “politics” but about “difficult” people in each day.


Hayward

5 Attitudes Toward Someone With Whom We Disagree

We live in a generally uncivil world (because we are fallen creatures) and we are in the midst of an uncivil season (Campaign 2012 or if you live in the south it is probably more about the 2012 football especially if we live in the state of Alabama.) Technologies, the proliferation of campaign spending, and the insidious, but effective tool of dishonest 30-second TV ads all add to a very uncivil culture. And Facebook, especially when it comes to football. This lesson is really about politics but I thought I would throw in the football “thing” at the beginning since negative “comments” are already popping up on Facebook!

Rick Warren, the Pastor of Saddleback Church decided against hosting a presidential debate due to the “nastiness” of the current campaigns. In his announcement, Warren said the campaign’s current climate, highlighted by “irresponsible personal attacks, mean-spirited slander, and flat-out dishonest attack ads,” is not what a civil forum aims to promote: respect between those with differences. He said he does not expect that climate of incivility to change before the election. "It would be hypocritical to pretend civility for one evening only to have the name-calling return the next day,” he said

For Christians, it can be difficult to know how to conduct ourselves in this “uncivil” season. On the one hand we want to stand boldly for truth, speaking out when appropriate. On the other, we're commanded by Scripture to conduct ourselves differently. So how do we do this? Here are five principles from the Scripture that helps us adopt grace-filled attitudes toward those with whom we firmly disagree:

1) Love Your Neighbor As Yourself (Mark 12:31). At the very least your political opponent, whether it's the President, someone in the other party, your opinionated relative, or the blogger who has it all wrong--that person is your neighbor. And we are to love our neighbors, not with a sort of grudging foot-dragging love, but "as yourself." In other words, you are to treat them with the same respect you would want to be treated. How does this play out in the public square? Well I think it means we argue principles without making it personal. It means we give them the benefit of the doubt. 1 Corinthians 13 says that one of the definitions of love is that it "4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." In other words, we can oppose someone politically without thinking they are part of some evil scheme to make our lives miserable.

2) Love Your Enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). Viewing a political opponent as an "enemy" might be too strong, but let's just assume that for a moment, on the issues about which you care, he or she is your enemy. For instance, it could be honestly said that most liberals are adversaries of the pro-life position that most Christians hold. So how does Jesus' words to love them apply? Well, we’re supposed to love them with the fullest definition of love. We can oppose what they stand for without ridiculing the person or mocking them or their families. We can love our political adversaries by speaking only what we know to be true about them. It means we see any good and redeeming values in them and pray for them!

3) Honor the King (1 Peter 2:17). Peter wrote these words to a church about to endure four decades of brutal persecution at the hands of Roman oppressors. And yet Peter writes, "Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.”

If this seems difficult to do under leaders who might oppose biblical values, imagine how difficult it was for Christian citizens of Rome. But it's made easier with the middle words of that phrase, "Fear God." Romans 13 (If you have not read or remember reading this chapter, do so! It is very interesting.) reminds us that nobody is in power except those God anoints and puts in power. So, you can show proper respect to a political adversary because you acknowledge the sovereignty of God and you affirm that even your enemy was created in God's image. And therefore you can honor a political leader because in doing so you're honoring the God who put him or her there. The words, "respect" and "honor" give us a good idea of how we should make political arguments. We can forcefully oppose unjust, unwise, or unbiblical policies without resorting to name-calling, mockery, and slander. In doing this, Christians can set themselves apart. Think of men like Nehemiah, Daniel, and Joseph who served wicked monarchs and still always showed proper respect to the office.

4) Pray for Your Leaders (Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:2). There are not many specifics in the New Testament about Christian political activism. But we might look at Jesus's words “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” in Matthew 5:16, His prayer in John 17 and Paul's appeal in Romans 10 for the necessity of Christians to help shape culture at all levels (including political and governmental). But the one very specific instruction regarding Christians and their leaders is the command to pray for them. We Christians seem to have it backward. We treat activism as a necessity and prayer for our leaders as an option. We should do both. We should pray and watch, pray and build, pray and act. But we must never diminish prayer. We must pray for our President, our Congress, our Governors, our statehouses, our mayors, our local leaders. Public service is a difficult calling. Max Lucado, pastor and author of MANY Christian books is gathering Christians to pray during this election season.

5) Speak with Grace (Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:6). This verse should really convict us, because often our speech is not always marked by grace. Especially in election season. (And football season.) Especially when we’re all wound up with an opinion or idea about someone with whom we disagree. But followers of Jesus should be marked by grace. This means that what we post, what we say, what we discuss should be viewed through the window of grace. How is graceful speech different than ordinary speech? It flows from a heart humbled by God's forgiveness. It considers the human behind the argument. It tries not to divide, but to unite. It grounds every argument in the gospel story. Graceful speech doesn't post angry, half-truth, slanderous opinions on Facebook. Graceful speech doesn't support distorted 30 second TV ads. Graceful speech is open to new arguments, admits wrongs, and doesn't assume that it's right all the time.

Summary: This is not a complete or exhaustive list, just a few ideas about living out the gospel during political season and beyond. Christians can be both civil and engaged, full of grace and yet firm in support of truth.