As election day draws closer, the aggressive nature of the campaign continues to escalate. There is a steady stream of venom spoken in the public sphere. A parade of television and radio messages declare the litany of reasons why opposing candidates are the apparent incarnation of evil. Every mistake is magnified and used to demonize the opposition, which inspires a multitude of loyal followers to enter into their own attacks on Facebook and Twitter.

I’ve listened to the cruel comments made in the media and read a myriad of equally vicious comments on my social media sites. I’ve also wondered if the authors of these words considered the impact of their comments on the individuals they attack, or their families. Then, I wonder if there was ever a moment of pause to consider the effect those words would have upon the people who support the candidates they so vigorously oppose.

Personally, I am amazed at the number of my social media friends who think nothing of making inflammatory statements that attack whole groups of people, often including me. These are people I know who stand up against injustice, cry out for equity, and take bold stances against aggression. Yet, it seems that their values are suspended when it comes to political debate. Gone is civil discussion, replaced by hateful attacks and vicious generalizations. It would seem that bullying is acceptable when you are the bully.

I can’t help but think that this is not the way God desires we treat one another, and yes, many of the comments I referenced are from people who claim that spiritual relationship. In some cases, faith is the justification claimed for their words, or spiritual convictions laid aside because, “this is politics.”

Instead of entering into heated arguments that fuel the fires of anger and increase the level of cruelty in these debates, let me offer a few guiding principles I believe are central to faithful civil debate:

1. All people are created in the image of God and are of sacred worth. This includes those who think like we do and those who do not. All people deserve to be treated as valuable, even when we disagree with them.

2. You cannot judge everyone by someone. Every political party has extremists and people who exercise poor judgment. This does not mean that every member of that party endorses those behaviors. Making sweeping generalizations of everyone because of the comments and actions of some is unfair and unjust.

3. Jesus is not Republican, nor is he Democrat. You cannot read much of the gospels before you realize that Jesus did not choose political sides. He simply stood for what is right!

4. Our world is not the whole world. Our national, state, and local elections affect the world, but represent only a small portion of it. Jesus spoke truth about national leadership, but always kept the perspective that the kingdom of God is where his true loyalty was fixed. Likewise, Christians should use their freedoms as good stewards, but not lose sight of the big picture.

5. Check the fruit. In Galatians 5:22-23, we are reminded that the fruit of the Spirit is, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Our lives are meant to express these virtues at all times, even on Facebook. As those who have given our lives to Christ, what we say represents him. Therefore, we must exercise our freedom of speech in ways that do not compromise these virtues. If what we are about to say, or write, would violate these standards, then we must not put it on our lips or on our social media walls.

There is great room for sensitive debate in our political discussions, but we cannot abandon our values in favor of our agenda. It is in the midst of these times and discussions, that we have the greatest opportunity to demonstrate the high calling of Jesus Christ. We are not called to look and sound like everyone else. Personal agendas and petty politics must always be placed below our witness as disciples of Jesus Christ. For when we stand before God to, “give an account of every idle word,” the focus will not be if our side won, but if God was rightly represented in our lives.

May you have spirited, and Spirit-filled debate and conversation that leads God’s kingdom coming here on earth as it is in heaven.