BEING PROPHETIC WITHOUT BEING A JERK

BEING PROPHETIC WITHOUT BEING A JERK!

   In these turbulent and polarizing political times how are we to speak a Biblical and true word to the actions, events, and words of politicians to those around us? Here are twelve tips, especially if you are going to use social media to express political opinions:

·       Don’t be rash or relationships might crash. (Watch out for your emotional reactions [to anything] and take time to measure your words. Surely you know someone out there will not agree with you, so in the way you express your argument do you just not care about their feelings, or how they will now feel about you, since you seemed to care so little about them?)  Proverbs 12:16, 13:5, 17:27, 29:20

·       Don’t be wise in your own eyes. (Be humble enough to get counsel and listen to the opinions of others.) Proverbs 3:7, 15:22, 16:18

·       Check it out before you put it out. (Please make sure you are not spreading “fake” news.  Investigate the facts first.) Proverbs 14:15

·       Stick like glue to what is True. (Always evaluate your words, actions and opinions against what you know the Bible says.) Proverbs 16:13, 30:5-6

·       What have you heard assuming makes, out of you and me? Proverbs 18:13

·       What you write can come back to bite. (Whatever you put out there is out there, and hard to take back, even if you later apologize or recant.) Proverbs 12:18, 17:27-28

·       We can forgive your fumble, if you remain humble. (God gives grace to the humble and it is hard to feel good about beating up on a humble person). Proverbs 4:34

·       If you just attack you will get off track.  (Always be angry at evil and injustice, but do not make it personal.  Love people!) Proverbs 3:30

·       We need prophets whose words bring profit. (Is what you are saying or writing helping anybody, are your words moving us toward positive change?) Proverbs 10:21, 15:23

·       Don’t get your back up about the blow back.  (No matter how kind, righteous, gentle, or correct you might be today’s climate seems to excuse bitter and biting retort.  Sarcastic and malicious response is common, so expect it.  Be sad, pray, forgive, and love.  Don’t return word for word, argument for argument, if there is no learning.) Proverbs 15:28, 17:14, 24:29

·       If you can’t be taught you will surely get caught, in your own arrogance. Proverbs 12:1, 15:31-32

·       A godly walk means sometimes you’ve just got to talk.  Proverbs 31:8-9