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I find it increasingly difficult to discuss politics.
Mention one of the following words – Biden, Trump, vaccine, CRT, Afghanistan, inflation, abortion, police, or voters’ rights – and instantly my defenses go up.
How about you?
In this Interruption, I’m not criticizing the narrow-minded people who disagree with me. I’m going to consider why I’m right most of the time!
It’s a process; I reach my correct conclusions by following the three steps listed below.
Step One: I have a high opinion of my sources. I like one news network better than another. I know my commentators speak the truth, while those on the other channel speak the devil’s words.
Step Two: Those who disagree with me are wrong. I fortify my positions with my own infallible logic. I find it easier to enter conversations having already concluded what you will say and why you are wrong. I don’t even have to listen.
Step Three: I know the truth. My opponents always argue from lack of information or stupidity. When my opponents are talking, I consider what I’m going to say next.
I think on my feet, am quick-witted with sarcastic retorts, and read lots of books – I win most arguments.
Then two or three times a year, while reading through the New Testament, I come across 1 Corinthians 13:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful (vv. 4-5).
I recently made the mistake of reading these verses in Greek. Below are my OGV interpretations.
Love = Doing what is best for the other person
Patient = Refusing to retaliate in anger
Envy = Eager to possess or win
Boast = Extolling your thoughts
Arrogant = Filled with hot air
Rude = I’m better than you
Own way = My way or the highway
Irritable = Quickly defensive
Resentful = Too quick to conclude
HHHHMMMHHM, the Bible obliterates my steps one, two, and three.
The Apostle Paul gives his advice for political discussion in 1 Corinthians 13:6-7:
Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I’m going to have to rethink how I engage in political arguments. Perhaps you do have something to say. Maybe I was wrong in jumping to conclusions, and admittedly, sometimes I don’t know everything.
Give me a call, send me a text or an e-mail. Let’s talk politics!