Another election year is upon us and the noise level is high. Each new round it seems the candidate ads get uglier and the political climate more toxic than ever. The noise level is at an all-time high thanks to modern media, but across America’s history, we have had two primary political parties with quite different agendas vying for control of the government. That could be defined as toxic by design. The political climate has always been heated.

In the home, it is important to talk about politics and the structure of our government with the kids. The noise level and political ads make it very hard to maintain a healthy perspective for the process. But perspective is exactly what dads and moms need to provide in order for the next generation to sustain this democratic republic. Kids need to know that the founding fathers mutually pledged to each other “our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor” when they declared that, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” With the last of the “great generation” just about gone, it is easy to take this nation’s uniqueness for granted. Keep the discussion simple, focused and real. Here is a LINK to order a Pocket Edition of The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence. It will serve as a great conversation centerpiece.

Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches. Was anyone already circumcised when he was called? He should not undo his circumcision. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? He should not get circumcised. Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter. Keeping God’s commands is what matters. – 1Corinthians 7:17-19. There were certainly factions in Paul’s day vying for power and control. His letters to the churches were always providing perspective in confusing times. The Jews did not know what was happening. They thought the Law still applied and that all should be circumcised. The Gentiles did not know whether they were to abide by the Jewish laws or if they were good uncircumcised. Paul kept it simple – discern good and evil from a Biblical perspective; keep the eyes focused on Jesus the Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith; and be real in living your faith, be a Kingdom influence in this world.

In the presidential election of 1800, the hyper-partisanship between the Democratic-Republicans and the Federalists prohibited naming a clear winner between the two candidates – Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. To break an Electoral College tie, the election moved to the House of Representatives where Jefferson was elected President and Burr, Vice President. Alexander Hamilton played large in that outcome due to his animosity for Burr. On July 11, 1804, the two men faced off in a duel that cost Hamilton his life and Burr, his future as a statesman. Now that was a toxic political climate.

Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for Your word and Your love in my life. I confess that I have allowed the political climate to heat up what should be normal discussions. Forgive me. Help me spend more time reading Your word and living under Your word versus listening to the noise in this world and living under the influence of the culture. Grant me strength to discern and wisdom to act as the man, husband and father You call me to be, that the next generation needs to see. Amen.

A faithful father leads his family under a Biblical perspective.