Election seasons can bring out the worst in us.
As Christians, we are called to love one another, but it’s easy to forget this commandment when political tensions rise. The yard signs, bumper stickers, and flags in our neighborhoods often reveal starkly different worldviews. Sometimes, it’s tempting to judge the neighbor with the political flag you disagree with. Matthew 7:1-5 speaks directly to this temptation:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
This passage offers guidance not only for our interpersonal relationships but also for how we approach political differences. During this election season, let’s take a moment to reflect on the deeper meaning of Jesus' words, especially in light of how we relate to our neighbors—literally and figuratively.
A Tale of Two Neighbors
Imagine this scenario: Mary, a devout Christian, notices her neighbor Tom has put up a political flag supporting a candidate she despises. Every day, as she drives by Tom’s house, her irritation grows. She thinks, “How can someone like him support that kind of politician?” Slowly, Mary’s perception of Tom changes. She begins to avoid him, making assumptions about his character based solely on the flag in his yard.
One day, Mary notices that Tom’s lawn is overgrown. Rather than helping or offering support, she thinks to herself, “Of course, someone who supports that candidate wouldn’t take care of his property.” Her judgment becomes more pronounced, her heart harder. Tom, once just a friendly neighbor, has become something less in her mind—an adversary.
Judging as Discernment vs. Condemnation
Mary’s story illustrates a common challenge we face, especially during times of political division. It’s easy to make snap judgments about people based on their affiliations, whether political, social, or otherwise. Yet, Matthew 7:1 warns us: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” But what kind of judgment is Jesus talking about here?
There’s a difference between judgment as condemnation and judgment as discernment. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul encourages the church to exercise discernment in matters of right and wrong, especially within the community of believers. This is not the same as condemnation. Discernment seeks truth, accountability, and wisdom, whereas condemnation devalues and isolates the person being judged. Mary was not simply discerning Tom’s political beliefs; she was condemning him based on a superficial sign, ultimately affecting how she treated him as a neighbor.
As Christians, we are called to evaluate behavior without condemning the person. This is the essence of the distinction between judgment as discernment and judgment as profiling. Profiling puts people into rigid categories, stripping away their humanity and complexity. It changes how we relate to them, love them, and forgive them. Mary’s assumption that Tom’s political beliefs defined his entire character changed her relationship with him, creating a barrier that Christ calls us to break down.
Removing the Plank: Evaluating Our Own Beliefs
Before addressing the “speck” in Tom’s eye—his political beliefs—Mary needed to address the “plank” in her own eye. In this context, the plank is more than just a moral failing. It can represent the very structures that support our beliefs and assumptions about others. Jesus tells us to remove the plank first, to examine the foundation of our judgments.
What is the “house” that Mary has built for herself? What beliefs and assumptions prop up her worldview? In a sense, Jesus is asking us to tear down the structural beams of our house—the deep-seated beliefs that often go unquestioned. For Mary, this might mean exploring why she feels such animosity toward Tom’s political flag. Is it fear? Pride? An unchallenged assumption about who is "right" or "wrong" in this election?
Openness to asking these questions is part of removing the plank. It’s not just about identifying a specific sin but about being willing to dismantle the framework of our entire worldview if necessary. This is a profound challenge for Christians in an election season when political identities can feel like cornerstones of our very being. But in order to see our neighbor clearly, we need to be willing to question the assumptions that uphold our judgments.
Judgment and Forgiveness: The Measure You Use
Jesus warns that the measure we use to judge others will be used to judge us. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” This brings into focus the spiritual danger of withholding forgiveness and harboring judgment. When we judge others harshly—like Mary judged Tom—are we not setting ourselves up for the same harsh judgment from God?
More importantly, are we putting ourselves in a position where we cannot forgive others because we’ve already written them off based on a political stance? The flag in Tom’s yard had become a symbol of division for Mary, but that division was something she created in her heart. By holding onto judgment, she was closing herself off from the very forgiveness she needs from God.
Jesus’ Example: Loving Beyond Divisions
It’s essential to remember that Jesus lived in an occupied country. Jews were oppressed by the Romans, and political hatred was rampant. Yet, Jesus built a community of disciples that included a tax collector who worked for the Roman occupiers and a zealot who wanted to overthrow the Romans. If Jesus had judged his disciples based on their political identities, he would have missed the opportunity to create a transformative community of love and forgiveness.
This is a powerful example for Christians in today’s political climate. Instead of asking, “Am I a Democrat or a Republican?” we should ask, “How can I see my neighbor as a human being and not an enemy?” Jesus showed us that even in the most politically charged environment, it is possible to transcend divisions and see one another as beloved children of God.
Bridges, Not Walls
Mary’s story doesn’t have to end in division. She has the opportunity to reach out to Tom, not with judgment, but with love. Perhaps she can offer to help him with his lawn or strike up a conversation that has nothing to do with politics. By removing the plank from her own eye—her assumptions and judgments—she can see Tom clearly, not as an adversary but as a neighbor.
As we approach this election season, let’s remember that our ultimate allegiance is not to a political party but to Christ. Judging others based on their political affiliations may give us a temporary sense of superiority, but it will also create barriers to love, forgiveness, and community. By exercising discernment instead of condemnation, removing the planks in our own eyes, and remembering that the measure we use will be given back to us, we can navigate political differences with grace and humility.
Let us build bridges, not walls, as we strive to love our neighbors—no matter what flag they fly.
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