The political season has to be one of my favorites. You know why? About two years ago my husband and I decided we could not feasibly have satellite or cable. We got rid of it and purchased rabbit ears and my mother blessed us with a Roku box. We watch mostly Netflix and we get our news from the Internet. So why do I love this season? Very little ads. I probably would hear or see none if I cut out Pandora and Allrecipes.com. Yeah, I said Allrecipes! Obama purchased all the ad space for them for about two weeks. It was terribly annoying.
Political ads make me really hate elections. I can't stand ads like, " So and so says he will do this but did you know he hates his mother? Is this a person you want in office?" Ok that's an exaggeration but it is not too far off the mark. I would rather just hear about what you want to do. It would awesome if they said something nice about the other candidate. " So and so is a great dad and husband. He did a good job. I think I can do better!" Wow!
Facebook is making the process even more dislikeable. Yeah, I made that word up. I have a hard time listening to people attack each other repeatedly. Just ripping someone's character apart. And the people who are running are not the ones who are the worst at this. It is the supporters who call others stupid and ignorant. Who judge the motives of someone's heart regardless if the even have met that person face to face.
Now I have a hard time because it triggers me. I fight pride and judgement daily. It is pretty much in my DNA and I hate it. It reminds me of Paul talking about doing the very thing he doesn't was to do. I hate but I can slip into it very quickly like and old pair of perfectly broken in shoes. So when I see people tearing each other down, I get triggered. I have to check my tongue and tone. I have to guard my heart. I need to watch and pray that I do not fall into temptation. My spirit may be willing, but my body is weak. More so I think of what James 1 says: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:19-22 NIV) I have to live out what is planted in me. Let the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control- i.e. my tongue, blossom.
It's a choice. Either you choose to be quick to listen, slow to speak and become angry or you allow the anti- fruits to flourish- malice, anger, so on and so on.
What kind of fruit are you bearing?
If pride and judgement are your temptations you surely don't let it affect the fruit you bear. You are outspoken but in a questioning and not judgeing kind of way. It is refreshing to "debate" with someone who can speak of their beliefs without a hint of condescension(sp). As you said (Bible) iron sharpens iron. Nice blog post. I'll keep reading them if you keep sharing. Peace to you and God bless.
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