How to Win at Politics

American politics is getting more intense and divisive by the day. The democratic tradition of debate and discourse, leading to compromise and unity, is all but gone in the US. Instead, we gather into tribes based on deeply held political beliefs, we deride the opposition. We embrace only those who share our views, and try to stop anything outside that worldview, at any cost. Lately we’ve escalated the name-calling to epic levels—that guy is evil. No, he’s Hitler. No, he’s satan. Let’s see, who’s worse than satan?

For a Christ-centered leader, there is a means by which to win at politics, in life and work. More often, we’re forgetting that no matter who wins or loses an election, or an issue, we still need to live with one another as neighbors and communities. We can’t choose to never interact with those we politically disagree with, because eventually our paths will cross. How, then, can we profoundly disagree on an issue or worldview, and yet lead well through differences and dissent? The only way to win is to rise above the political mudslinging, and live out our faith in three key areas:

Rise above to prayer. Very few people—even deeply faithful people—pray for their political opponents. A Pew Research study found that only 20% of people who pray regularly include politicians in their prayers.[1] Yet this is precisely what Jesus told us to do, and especially for those who hate us. In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus instructs, “But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Jesus told us to lean in to those with whom we profoundly disagree.

Which is why we should pray earnestly for politicians. All of them, on both sides of the aisle. Why? Because a Christ-centered leader needs to grow in his love and concern for people of all views and backgrounds. Your faith is far more important than your political views. Pray for politicians’ welfare. Pray for them to receive godly counsel. Pray for their salvation and spiritual growth. Pray for their families. Pray for their governance to positively affect those around them. Pray for God to be glorified through their public service.

Media pundits will state, “Politician X is everything that is wrong with America,” inferring that if you vote instead for Politician Y, those problems will be solved. Because we dislike the views one person holds, we’re encouraged, within our culture, to dislike the person. A Christ-centered leader, though, should not think of people this way, because it diminishes the spiritual impact we might have on those in our sphere of influence. Anytime you hear “Politician X is everything that is wrong with America,” the response should be, “I need to pray now for Politician X. And Politican Y as well.” Rise above politics to prayer!

Rise above to local service. A phrase often attributed to former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill is that “All politics is local.” O’Neill used it in his first campaign, in 1935. The idea is that although there are issues that affect the nation as a whole, people tend to vote based on what will most positively impact their local neighborhood. Just as politics tends to be local, a leader’s real and lasting impact also tends to be local. Regardless of how you view tax policy, or national defense, or foreign aid, or interstate highways, consider that your greatest service as a Christ-follower will be to your family, close friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

Early Christians in the New Testament were politically hated, both by religious leaders and their governments. Time and again the Bible directs Christians to respond with gratitude and service. 1 Peter 4:9 instructs us to “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” And Jesus speaking to leaders said, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). This isn’t a call for Christians to put up candidate yard signs or solicit political donations. Rather, it’s a charge to focus on the vital and important needs of people in their sphere of influence.

A Christ-centered leader will have political views. The most effective political action, however, is not to vote (although you certainly should vote), but to serve. Whatever your political view on an issue, consider how you might serve your community in a positive way on that point. For instance, if you are pro-life, then support foster parents. If you are for lowering taxes, then help with tax services for the poor or volunteer to do accounting for a nonprofit. If you are for restoring infrastructure, then adopt a highway mile to clean on weekends. If you are for stricter drug laws, then help out at a Christian recovery program. Look at your political leanings, choose a way to help others locally, and do the hard thing. Rise above politics to service!

Rise above to relationships. Like religion, politics runs deep with people. That is, most consider their political views as a moral imperative. They’ve come to include stances on issues as part of their own character, and no amount of discussion or debate will move the needle on their viewpoint. Social media has provided all political views with an “echo chamber” of likeminded people, giving each person the perception that every sane person thinks just like they do. The question for the Christian leader is “How can I most effectively interact and relate to someone with whom I have a fundamental difference of belief?” The answer is to value the person above their politics.

A central teaching for Christians is that people should be our primary focus. Relationships are the only things we possess that can outlast our lives on earth. Think back 100 years. Who was President back then? What party did they represent and what were their political views? The politics of today will be relegated to a paragraph in a history book tomorrow. Even the great political revolutions have been reduced to dates on a high school test—July 4, 1776, for example. Politics is fleeting but people are not. Christians must work to build relationships that are more important to them than a person’s political viewpoints.

Proverbs 17:17 teaches that, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Loving others is the beginning of friendships. But godly love is challenging. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 tells us, “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; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Are you ready to have a friendship with your neighbor that “does not insist on its own way” and “bears all things”? Rise above politics to relationships!

Politics is not unimportant. In reading this, a deeply political leader may dismiss this as na?ve. “You don’t understand what we’re up against! Democracy is at stake!” Well, it could be. But the Bible’s teaching is quite clear. Christ and faith comes first. The mission Jesus has given us comes second. Country and politicsmightbe, at best, third. One could argue though that marriage and children for many should really be prioritized above that. If a Christ-centered leader is honest and takes an inventory of their values, likely their politics at best barely makes their Top Ten. Politics is not unimportant, but it is also not all-important. The way for a Christian to win at politics is to put it into proper perspective, and to focus on prayer, service and relationships above political parties and platforms.

[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/database/frequency-of-prayer/