{"id":146771,"date":"2023-05-09T14:38:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T19:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/?p=146771"},"modified":"2025-02-13T13:06:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T18:06:49","slug":"a-house-divided-guiding-others-through-political-polarization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/equip\/a-house-divided-guiding-others-through-political-polarization\/","title":{"rendered":"A House Divided: Guiding Others Through Political Polarization"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Does political polarization\u2014that ever-increasing gap between political convictions\u2014fill conversations around you with razor blades? Maybe attack (or duck-and-cover) mode has become the norm. Your church or group or coffee house is a house divided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A friend described her experience of an inflamed phone conversation with a Christian relative. Both resorted to derogatory language about the opposing party or its voters. My friend left alienated, hurt, and disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the end, our conversation was no longer neutral ground to understand each other,\u201d she said. \u201cWe can\u2019t seem to admit what our parties do wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a disturbing trend. An astounding 22% of evangelicals<\/a> believe civility is unproductive in political conversations. Twenty-five percent consider their candidate\u2019s insulting personal remarks toward an opponent to be justifiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it\u2019s even more concerning and uncomfortable when a friend doubles as a perceived adversary\u2014because few of these differing values feel nonessential. How could someone I felt close to be blind to how trampled I feel?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somewhere amidst the conflict, we\u2019ve lost each other. We\u2019ve lost respect, trust, and connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Christians, we\u2019re commanded to return blessings for insults (1 Peter 3:9<\/a>), live at peace with all as far as it depends on us (Romans 12:18<\/a>), do everything in love (1 Corinthians 16:14<\/a>). How did we get here?<\/p>\n\n\n

Resist what\u2019s wrong not only through politics, but unity and exposure to the other side<\/h2>\n\n\n

Search engine and social media<\/a> algorithms<\/a> create echo chambers of those who agree with us. So we\u2019ve lost resilience and the ability to learn from views and people that make us more thoughtful, compassionate, well-rounded, receptive to outside experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, some of those we disagree with are primarily part of Christ\u2019s Body\u2014not just the opposition. And \u201cThe eye cannot say to the hand, \u2018I have no need of you\u2019\u201d (1 Corinthians 12:21). In Acts, Paul intentionally dives into thoughtful conversation with those who disagree. Though admittedly, his only \u201ccandidate\u201d is Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul writes regarding the feud over food sacrificed to idols, \u201cLet not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him \u2026 Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then the kicker: \u201cWelcome one another as Christ has welcomed you,<\/em> for the glory of God\u201d (Romans 14:3, 12-13; 15:7, emphasis added).<\/p>\n\n\n

Political polarization: Whose sign is in your front yard?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Maybe this perspective influences actress Candice Cameron Bure, who explained<\/a> why she wouldn\u2019t be returning to the Emmy-winning debate talk show, The View<\/em>: “I just don’t publicly want to talk about politics. Not because I don’t believe that my viewpoints and opinions are important, but I would much rather share Jesus with people. That’s really my passion.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, one pastor refuses political signs in his actual front yard, explaining that because Jesus is who people truly need, he doesn\u2019t want anything in the way of them coming to Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask those you\u2019re guiding, \u201cWhat\u2019s on the most important sign in your life\u2019s \u2018front yard\u2019? How would those you talk with about politics define your top priority?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recall Jesus\u2019 rebuke of Peter when Peter slices off the ear of a member of the mob arresting Jesus. Jesus heals the ear\u2014probably to Peter\u2019s confusion. He saw Jesus as his political king. But later, Jesus clarifies to Pilate, \u201cIf my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting\u201d (John 18:36).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how can you elevate the King of Kings in a house divided?<\/p>\n\n\n

5 ways to make Jesus King in political polarization<\/h2>\n\n

1. Change your goal in conflict.<\/h3>\n\n\n

Conflict is an opportunity\u2014but not to win. Or always agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most inflamed conversations don\u2019t birth changed minds. Heels dig in deeper as you defend positions: \u201cfight, flight, or freeze,\u201d not \u201clisten, understand, alter my perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conflict, more specifically God\u2019s conflict, is at the center of why God sent Jesus. And God\u2019s passed on to us this expression of what He\u2019s done:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Through Christ [God] reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.<\/em> Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.<\/em> (2 Corinthians 5:18-20, emphasis added)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Recently, while contemplating someone whose different values felt like they were taking a cheese grater to my liver\u2014complete with the anxiety and anger\u2014I remembered Romans 5:8: While I was still God\u2019s enemy, God closed the gap between us. He demonstrated His love by dying<\/em> for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had to ask God, Help me treat my \u201cenemies\u201d how You treat Yours.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet God orchestrated our relationships. Conflict is often His assignment. It flays open desires that push and pull us (James 4:1<\/a>). Which means it\u2019s a key moment to guide someone closer to Him. You\u2019re dealing with core desires\u2014and sacred ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask your friend: Underneath the issue, what do they want most?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their conflict is an opportunity to understand and love (honor and become more like Jesus) and grow stronger beyond how we\u2019re the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask, \u201cWhat do you believe God wants to do here with these different values between you? What could it look like to love people well and show them You?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

2. Pray for those you guide, wisdom to act for true peace, and your own heart.<\/h3>\n\n\n

Pray for those you talk with, and ask for wisdom to truly love them well. Ask for God to share with you His posture toward them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus commands to first<\/em> \u201ctake the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye\u201d (Matthew 7:5). Ask God to reveal to those you lead any ways their hearts aren\u2019t like His.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When entering an unhealthy or loaded situation, chew on 2 Peter 1:3-4. Pray together for God\u2019s power to return a blessing in the face of every insult (1 Peter 3:9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could gently remind your friend self-control in political polarization stems from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n