Page 3 - April 2025 - Truth & Tidings

ithin the last few months, a perior, having been “more educated” or
number of new national and more “in the know” regarding the subject
Wpolitical leaders have stepped at hand. Still others feel tremendous sad-
onto the world stage. Media networks have ness and disappointment over the lack of
been bombarded with information, and wisdom or discretion exercised. But no one
consumers are having a hard time digest- is blessed by my political post or comment
ing it all. We all know there are believers – absolutely no one. The one thing almost
on both sides of many political debates, guaranteed for exercising this freedom of
maybe even within the same local church. speech is division.
There are differing views on bearing arms, There may be times when elders need to
whether healthcare is a right, which coun- step in and encourage believers to desist,
try we should back in their present conflict, if the behavior is affecting relationships
and the list goes on. But there is enormous within the assembly or the testimony of
potential for division within a local assem- the assembly. If the debates or arguments
bly when I make my views known in a pub- that occur online were occurring audibly
lic setting. Many assemblies, thankfully, during assembly meetings or get-togethers,
have managed to keep politics away from
our public platforms. This is a wise prac- action would be taken. The sad reality is
tice to maintain in assemblies everywhere. that even more people are able to witness
But there is another public platform with online arguments, and the damage done
a larger potential audience – social media. can be devastating to assembly testimony.
Many of us live in nations where we have Whatever our feelings about presidents,
freedom of speech. We can be thankful for prime ministers or political party lead-
such a right, for there are fellow believers ers, the Church has one Head and only
in other lands where this freedom is absent one – Christ. Our loyalty and faithfulness
and speaking for God and for Christ will are to Him alone, not to a political leader,
invite legal penalties. But we have an even political party or political cause. When it
greater freedom than freedom of speech. In comes to Christ, that’s where we ought to
Christ, we have the freedom not to speak. exercise our freedom of speech and post or
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the fruit of comment to our heart’s content, for this has
peace and self-control can bring blessing to the potential to bring blessing to everyone
the local church. who reads it.
How do you feel when you see another “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;
Christian like something or post something keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psa
you disagree with politically? Some feel 141:3 ESV). “Be filled with the Spirit …
anger and immediately wish to retaliate Submitting yourselves one to another in
with an opposing view. Others feel su- the fear of God” (Eph 5:18,21 KJV).

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