Do you unknowingly take Satan’s bait? In today’s politically charged atmosphere it’s easy to do if we can’t discern who is baiting us. It’s also easy to do if we don’t keep our emotions under control.
In 1 Peter 5:8, it says, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” He’s always fishing. Fishing. Fishing.
Shortly before a previous presidential election one of my neighbors stopped her car while I was out on a walk.
“Hi Judy,” I waved. And then she went on and on about all the terrible things she thought were going to happen if her candidate didn’t win. She had no idea I was on the opposite side politically.
“I don’t discuss politics with neighbors,” I replied. But she continued in a highly agitated state about events she assumed would occur if the election didn’t go her way.
“Judy, there’s no sense in getting all worked up about things that you aren’t sure are going to happen. It’s not good for your health,” I told her. “Don’t worry! Be happy!” She calmed down a little, made a few more political statements and drove away. From then on whenever I ran into her, she was still very friendly and seemed calmer, even when making a brief political statement.
One Election Day I was handing out sample ballots at my polling place greeting people outside as they arrived. A young man was doing likewise for the other party about 15-20 feet away.
“Good morning! Would you like a sample ballot?” I’d ask voters. Some said ‘yes,’ others waved ‘no,’ and a few made unpleasant facial expressions. When I wasn’t busy, I chatted cordially with my male compatriot across the way.
Later that morning a senior male exited from the polling place after voting and headed towards me.
“Can I have one of those ballots?” he asked.
“Sure,” I replied puzzled by his request.
He looked it over and said, “How can you support this candidate?”
“Sir, I don’t think there’s any point in us having a conversation,” I responded calmly. He huffed and puffed as he walked away.
I’ve heard too many stories over recent years of family members, friends or neighbors not speaking to one another because of heated political disagreements and some even getting into physical altercations. To me, this has Satan’s M.O. written all over it. John 10:10 says, “He comes to steal, kill and destroy.” And that includes destroying relationships. I refuse to take his bait.
To me the best way for my voice to be heard in the political realm is to pray, vote, volunteer, and/or donate. Those are louder and more effective actions than any shouting match with a political opponent.
Proverbs 26:20 says, “Without wood a fire goes out.”
I try not to provide any wood to start a fire or keep one going. How about you?
Mary Therese Hutchinson 