Six Things for Christians to Remember This Election

2. Clothe yourself with temperance. Temperance is perhaps our culture’s most neglected virtue. We thrive on outrage and hyperbole; we lack a measured approach. Nowhere is this more clear than in the political realm: the rhetoric would have us believe one candidate will lead us to the Promised Land, while all the others will usher in the Apocalypse. What does temperance look like this election season?

Don’t deify your candidate. This year has made it clear that all candidates have flaws and failings; don’t compromise your witness for Christ by refusing to acknowledge this. As Christians, we need to have the humility and integrity to acknowledge our candidates’ shortcomings. They may have your vote, but they must not have your support on any issue incompatible with Biblical Christianity. Support your candidates passionately, but have temperance – nuance, balance, humility.

Don’t demonize the other candidates. Our political process has a tendency to dehumanize and caricature our leaders. In reality, they too have upbringings, experiences, families, loves, challenges and fears; they brush their teeth and get headaches. And they have souls – souls created by God and loved by him. Oppose the other candidates passionately, but have temperance – nuance, balance, humility.

Don’t demean those who vote for a different candidate. Thoughtful and faithful believers will vote for different candidates. Insisting we all vote the same way achieves one thing: division in the church. That should be an unacceptably high price to pay. Engage your friends passionately, but have temperance – nuance, balance, humility.