Inauguration Day: Let the Words of Our Mouths Be Acceptable

There's going to be a great deal of talk around family dinners, workplaces, and neighborhoods in the coming days.

The election is over, but one man I know is refusing to take down his pre-election sign because he is so upset at the outcome. Some want to celebrate the election win, but others don't. Some say little, trying not to incite conflict, and others, maybe just a bit too much.

As we transition to a new president, what are the words of your mouth? Let's look to the Bible for guidance on how to handle post-election talk.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. - Psalm 19:14

Pause and mediate on this verse. Now, think about what you have said in your day-to-day conversations with friends and family. Have your words met the standard of Psalm 19:14?

Frankly, I have been appalled at some of the rhetoric I hear and what I have observed in media and on social media. It doesn't reflect Psalm 19:14. The way we talk about this election is important because it expresses what is in our hearts.

1 Peter 2:12 tells us, "Keep your conduct honorable."

Honorable conduct includes the words we say. Those words should not include name-calling, gloating, elitism, fear-mongering, hate, and disgust. Instead, we are to guard our hearts and mouths because words are powerful--as we saw during the election cycle. Let's not be guilty of behaving in the ways we found disturbing.

James 3 tells us that we can praise our Lord and Father, but also curse our brothers and sisters who have been made in God's likeness. The tongue must be tamed by the Holy Spirit in us. Otherwise it is a fire, capable of consuming. So before you speak, check your words and ask the Lord to help you bless others rather than curse them. 

Now is the time to model love, humility, and civility towards one another--whether you liked or hated the outcome of this election. Haven't we had enough verbal attacks and negative messaging?

We, the people, can behave differently. If we want to be great again, let's start by controlling our tongues and actually treat each other with respect.