Did That Sound Graceful?

Ed McClanahan

Are you tired of the barrage of political ads that seem to foster hostility penetrating our society right now? It’s election season and it seems like almost every commercial is an ad touting a political candidate, and/or slamming the opposing one and their views. It can be very tempting to jump into the fray and defend our own preferred candidates, or the thoughts we have toward the platforms we prefer. And there’s nothing wrong with that IF we keep in mind the words of Paul in Colossians 4: 2-6:

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

It seems far too prevalent that those who profess to be Jesus followers forget verses five and six when they respond to others with anger during political discourse. I’ve certainly done this myself more than once, and have needed to apologize and seek forgiveness. James 1:20 is also a reminder, “because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Let’s read that one more time… Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 

When we look and sound exactly like the world in our political discourse, we’re not as verse four says, being wise in the way we act toward those who don’t know Jesus yet. We could be spoiling an opportunity.

So, the next time you decide to enter your voice into the political arena, ask yourself before speaking or writing, “does this sound graceful?” “Is that seasoned with the kind of salt Jesus would approve of?” 

Your unsaved neighbors are watching.