I watched it all.  Wow, there was a lot of past sins brought up during the debate the other night, wasn’t there?  Both candidates couldn’t wait to dish out some dirt on their opponent!  Hillary accuses Trump of financial misdeeds and past racism.  Trump reminds everyone about Hillary’s e-mail scandal, and is shocked when she refers to it as a “mistake.”  His words were “You did it purposely!”  OUCH.  But of course, she returned the favor later on…..by bringing up his past misogyny.

There was also a lot of sinning that took place during the debate. It was very easy to spot, wasn’t it?  Almost too easy.  Both of them being prideful, while defending themselves against every past wrongdoing.  Trump cuts off Hillary before she finishes, nearly shouting in the process.  She returns the favor.  The moderator Lester Holt gets interrupted…………AGAIN!!  Hillary displays a prideful smile when the camera closes in.  Trump has, what looks to be, an angry face as he waits to answer.  You didn’t have to go looking for sin that night.  It nearly jumped through our TV screens.  Is it just me, or did it seem like a couple of schoolyard boys at recess tattling to get the other kid in trouble?!  And then, not letting the other kid finish his sentences, lest more incriminating evidence come out!  It was indeed very surreal at times.  In fact, Time Magazine counted 84 total interruptions of the current speaker during the 90 minute debate, 55 of them by Trump.  Accusation, defense, interruption.   Another accusation, followed by another defense, and of course, another interruption!  That night was proof that the Bible is 100% accurate about sinful human nature.

 

 

Oh……..but there is another place we can look for that proof.  We don’t need to turn on a debate to find sin.  We need only to look inside.  And we don’t need to have a controversial election going on to find sin inside of us either.  Elections don’t make Christians sin.  Neither does Facebook, Twitter, or the cafeteria at our workplaces.  But these events and situations often reveal the sin already inside of us.  It’s just there…..always.  Well, at least until we die or our Savior returns.  James says that “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15)  Sin emanates from within, not without.

I am aware that there is a such thing as righteous indignation.  I also believe that wise and beneficial critique about the election (and even particular candidates) is needed, so that we might be informed enough to make good choices.  I also believe in healthy, kind, and patient debate among Christians. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)  These are all good things.  However, we must be constantly aware of a couple biblical truths (truths that we too often ignore): 1. The devil is real, and he has come to “steal and kill and destroy”  and 2. We have hearts that are weak and deceptive. (see Jeremiah 17:9)  Satan can take good things and twist them for evil purposes.  Let us be mindful of his schemes before we are overtaken.  And we can just as easily deceive ourselves.  Remember: “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” (Proverbs 22:3)  Seek refuge in the Lord……..not just after the temptation hits you like a ton of bricks, but before it even approaches you.  Be ready.  Be watchful.  Be humble.  And be encouraged always with this: “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

On the flip side, if you believe that you have no need to listen to others viewpoints, or that you are the only one who can give out that wise and beneficial critique, or that you have no danger of any temptations during this election season, then this would be a good time to bail out of reading this post.  It will not help you.  But if you’re like me, and need to fight hard against pride and misplaced trust, then please read on.

Christians fight all kinds of temptations every single day.  But during election season (especially the Presidential election), we are more susceptible to certain sins.  I’ve noticed it in my own heart and- from the conversations I observe among other believers- this may be a problem for some of you also.  For each temptation, I give one or two Scriptural warnings beneath.  There are obviously many more that could be added.  But most of these are pretty self-explanatory.  And to keep this from being 10 pages long, I decided to show mercy on you and keep it shorter!  The list is not ranked in any kind of specific order.  I listed them as each were laid on my heart.  So……let’s get to it.

During election season, Christians are more tempted to………… 

1. Argue…….a lot!

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. (Proverbs 17:14)

As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. (Proverbs 26:21)

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:1-3)

2. Become overly anxious that our particular candidate might not win

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

3. Run to Facebook or other Social media for comfort, WHEN we become anxious (for more on this issue, go here)

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3)

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)

4. Become too prideful that we (as individuals) have all the right convictions about who the best candidate is (if any are chosen at all)

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them. (Proverbs 26:12)

5. Not listen to others counsel because we are so caught up in the fact that we already have the “correct” opinion

Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (Proverbs 13:10)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

6. Become foolish (for the same reason as #5)

Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them. (Proverbs 26:12)

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. (Proverbs 3:7)

7. Speak evil against a future ruler  (I’m not referring to honest, biblical critique here, but the negative, slanderous, anger induced rants that do not have everyone’s best interest at heart)

“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” (Exodus 22:28)

Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter. (Ecclesiastes 10:20)

8. Speak evil to, or about, other believers who disagree with you (whether by mouth, text, or social media)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Jesus said, “I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.” (Matthew 12:36)

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20)

9. Think that we are so much better (either politically or morally) than the candidates we don’t like

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:3)

10. Speak too much about our opinions.  This temptation is especially dangerous if we have any kind of platform, like a ministry, social media account, or……..AHEM………a blog

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. (Proverbs 10:19)

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. (Proverbs 17:28)

 

 

11. Forget that God is sovereign no matter who wins, and that His purposes will be accomplished

Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. (Psalm 135:6)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1 … emphasis mine)

12. Forget that this world, as it is now under the curse and largely in rebellion to Christ, is NOT our final home

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more……………….He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1,4)

13. Spend way too much time trying to persuade others, that we neglect the more important matter of spending enough time in God’s Word

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

14. Lose our joy and contentment

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:12)

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. (Psalm 94:19)

15. Love winning more than we love Jesus

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8)

16. Place too much reliance upon man, instead of God

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. (Psalm 118:8)

17. Become thankless complainers

Do all things without grumbling or disputing  (Philippians 2:14)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

18. Talk more to other people about the candidates, instead of praying to God on their behalf

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

19. Become blinded to the more important and immediate needs of your local church, and sharing the gospel with the lost

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” (Romans 1:16-17)

20. Think too much about temporal, non-spiritual matters….and not enough about eternal, spiritual things

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. (Psalm 119:97)

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2)

 

** A Final Word of Encouragement **

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (Revelation 21:3)

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