We have reached a new low in public discourse

We have gone from attacking a politician's ideas, to attacking the politicians. Now we attack the people who voted for the politician.

We are becoming increasingly polarized. People on opposing sides of issues have taken irrevocable stands. We have moved from arguing a position to attacking people who disagree with us. Now we launch preemptive accusations based on what we assume others might say. Are we losing our minds?

Social media has magnified the hate. We post things we probably would not say to someone's face. Can you imagine explaining to a time traveler from the sixties that we have a device that we can hold in the palm of our hand and access all the knowledge in the world but we use it to insult strangers. We have lost our minds!

A person who identifies as a follower of Christ should not be a participant in such hate-inspired, soul- destroying acts. The Bible teaches, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” (James 3:9-12)

A favorite song of mine is “They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

Peter Scholtes (1968)

Are you known as Christian by your love? Or do the words you type betray your true nature? Jesus said, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

Jesus said that being a peacemaker is a mark of His followers. (Matthew 5:9) Does that describe you? Or do you forward emails and share Facebook posts that make others angry?

Before we speak or post Christians ought to be mindful of our call to glorify God and bear witness to His love.

Before we speak or post Christians ought to be mindful that our words can spark a fire strong enough to burn a forest. (James 3:5)

Before we speak or post Christians ought to be mindful that a gentle word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

Before we speak or post Christians ought to be mindful that on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. (Matthew 12:36)

Before we speak or post Christians ought to be mindful that Jesus said, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).”