Engaging in Political Dialogue

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

The season for political debate has begun.  While we are blessed with the freedom to engage in political dialogue, biblically speaking, our dialogue must be done decently and in order.  Those with whom we disagree are also created in the image of God and are worthy of our respect even if they don't respect us.  

One of the fundamental rules in dealing with offensive argumentation is never to stoop to the level of the adversary.  Simply put, don't argue with a fool.

2 Timothy 2:23:  "Don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights." ( NLT)

  

Proverbs 26:4:  "Do not answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are." ( NLT)

 Proverbs 10:15: "Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster."

Mark Twain:  "Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

 "Insults are the last resort of insecure people with a crumbling position trying to appear confident." (Wisdom Quotes)

In viable, vibrant dialogue, we must discuss issues, not personalities.  We must defend our positions with readily variable facts and not hearsay. Sometimes the best strategy is either to change the subject, to remain silent or to walk away.

The Heart of Autumn
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Crisp morning breath,
Softening in the noontide,
Deepening with the day,
Redolent in the cinnamon
Of fallen leaves and burning wood.
Fields, once green, then golden,
Now newly frosted,
Gleam in russet-bronze.
The earth’s returned the harvest
And seeks repose.
We, too, desire respite.
Autumn, amber, umber, Autumn,
Golden, flaxen, honey-hued.
Multitudinous tones
Of withered grass, ruddy leaf
And tranquil turf.
O Lord, our God,
Our Creator, our Sustainer,
In autumn, we worship Thee.
The harvester, surveying fallow fields,
Lifts his heart in psalm
For laden cribs and fattened flocks.
The housewife, pausing near the shelf
And fragrant larder
Sings her sacred song.
Young ones, basking in the fiery glow,
Harken to the swirl and plash of storm
And, mindfully, remember Thee.
O Lord, our God,
We worship Thee.
In autumn, we worship Thee.

Ending the Vitriol

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

In this world of incivility, anger and curses, we, as children of God Most High, must learn to speak in the opposite spirit.  We must choose to speak life and blessing and hope and joy and peace and love even in the current political climate.

Proverbs 18:21 declares that both death and life are in the power of the tongue.

We are cautioned many times in scripture to guard our tongues. Throughout the ages, we seem to have forgotten the power of our words. We have forgotten the power of our words because we have not regarded the source of that power.

In the beginning, the power of the spoken word was evident when the Lord spoke

into the formless void and created. We are created in His image and in that image is the power to create through the words we choose to speak.

We live in a world where incivility abounds. As children we often chanted, “Sticks

and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” We chanted to hide the fact that words spoken to us had crushed us emotionally. In truth, broken bones heal more quickly than damaged emotions.

The Spirit of God is grieved when our words create pain and anguish for others

and, therefore, for ourselves. Ephesians 4:30-32 directs, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (NKJV)

Proverbs 10:11 reminds us that the “mouth of the righteous is a well of life.” Our

words can heal. (Proverbs 12:18) Our words can bring joy and gladness. (Proverbs

12:25) Our words can impart grace to others. (Ephesians 4:29) Our words allow us to stand in the presence of God. (Psalm 15:3) By our words, we will either be justified or condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37.) Simply put, God is pleased when we choose to create life with our words.

We are encouraged to speak the word of God over ourselves and others so that

we can more fully walk in His image. We can choose to begin each day with the words of the psalmist, “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (In spite of what is happening in the world around us.)

Let No Corrupt Word

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

We are currently navigating the maelstrom of political rhetoric which includes some truth and much name-calling, stone throwing and chaos on both sides. As Christians, we are called to be salt and light and ambassadors of the Kingdom of God.

Now, more than ever, we must stand for truth. We must not back away from righteousness. We must be firm in our defense of the things of God and our constitutional right to worship Him. In His Word, our Father has given us strategy for standing.

Much of that strategy is found in Ephesians 6:11-18 (NKJV). Paul wrote the epistle during his first Roman imprisonment.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

"Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- "

We do not struggle against flesh and blood. We struggle against spiritual forces of evil. No matter what political forces are in play, what the Word says is right is right, and what the Word says is sin is sin. While standing for the truth of God, we must also stand in the nature of God. Our only offensive weapon is the sword of the Word delivered truth, righteousness, peace, faith.

Among those sinners highlighted in Romans 1:29-31 are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, the violent, boasters, those who are undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful. We must guard against sinking to the level of those who exhibit such behaviors.

We must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) without resorting to harsh words and name-calling. We can be forceful, even aggressive, without being hostile. In Ephesians 4:29-31 (NKJV), Paul wrote (again from prison), “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”

Holy Spirit of God, convict us of those times when, in standing for truth, we have grieved You. We repent of the bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and malice that have spewed forth from our inner being. We are reminded that out of our bellies should flow forth rivers of living water. We cry out according to Psalm 78:72, “Oh, God, our heart’s desire is that our government will be led by those who, like David, have integrity of heart and skillfulness of hand. Amen.”

 Positively Politic 

By Reverend Lonnie C. Crowe

As we move closer to the midterm elections,  we need to  examine our motivations in light of our manners and in light of our vocabularies.  Please note that politic, politician and polite all stem from “Middle English politik, pollitique "of spiritual or secular governance, political, sagacious, prudent," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French politique "of the state, political, of the regulation of social behavior".

In simple English: Tactful and Diplomatic: Acting with smart care and good judgment when dealing with people.

Expedient: Well-judged and appropriate for a specific purpose or situation.

However, it has also come to mean: Crafty or Cunning: unscrupulous.

We must remember the Psalmist’s admonition. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."

Remembering also Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order. May we strive to be politic in the positive sense.