The cycle is beginning again.  As we prepare to be barraged by political ads and debate after debate, political candidates are preparing for their run for the White House in 2016.  What we will likely hear the most is how all of the other candidates are not qualified to be that right person to lead the nation.  Unfortunately, the negative ads are what seem to give candidates the most bang for their advertising buck.

     In tearing one another down, many will take the opportunity to distort or misrepresent the record of their opponents.  Is this the way it should be?  Should we be okay with this turn of events?  Jesus said, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12 NKJV).  When politicians lie, distort, or misrepresent the deeds of their political opponents, are they treating them in the same way that they in turn wish to be treated?  Hardly!

     We should not try to lift ourselves up by tearing others down.  Why not instead stand upon our own work and our own actions?  Someday, we will be judged by the things that we have done while in our bodies, whether good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14).  Yet, voters tend to reward those who tell the grandest stories when it comes to making their opponents disreputable, and thus the cycle continues.

     In addition to tearing each other down, many politicians will promise anything they think will help them to get elected.  However, this is mostly just a game.  Those politicians have no intention of fulfilling their promises.  We voters have no expectation that they will keep their promises either.  Why not just do what the Bible says and allow our yes to be yes and our no to be no (James 5:12)?  Would that not be a better way?

     Just think of how it would be if each candidate was honest; if each candidate stood upon the merits of their own work rather than tearing others down; if each candidate only promised those things that they actually intended to do once they get into office.  Just think if we did things God’s way instead of our way.  Solomon wrote, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).  By comparison, God’s way leads to eternal life (Proverbs 19:23).  Let us choose that way instead!