When you hear someone slander or speak evil of another, how do you react? Does it draw you to them? Encourage you to believe them? Trust them? Support them?

The election rhetoric is a good opportunity to observe the fruit of evil-for-evil rhetoric. What is your internal reaction to candidates striving to tear each other down?

How does the vitriol of comments on social media affect you? Does it sway you toward the candidates—to the ones trying to win your support? I confess, I have a few Facebook “friends” that I scroll on past without even checking to see what they are posting about, because I’m tired of destructive speech.

It’s human nature to want to defend yourself when someone attacks you, especially if it is with false charges. It’s tempting to attack back with something just as harmful, if not worse. I’d guess that we’ve all at least been tempted to such behavior.

But take a moment consider the effect of responding in kind.

Generally, it has the opposite effect from what is intended. It casts more doubt and creates resistance rather than helping win points in the disagreement.

That’s true in close family relationships as well as in public spectacles. We need to take note so we can learn self-control when we are tempted to defend ourselves by tearing down someone else.

Listening to the rhetoric of this election cycle reveals wisdom of Paul’s words to the Thessalonians, “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” (1 Thes. 5:15).

Pursue what is good, not just for yourself, but for all? Vitriol arises because we focus on ourselves and our agenda rather than considering what is best for all. We insult back to defend ourselves and discount the other party. Doing so distracts us from reaching out to and benefiting everybody.

In politics, it’s complicated because there are such divergent opinions as to what is best for all, but that’s not the real problem. The problem is the focus on self and the determination to establish MY agenda.

The rest of Paul’s advice to the Thessalonians is also important for today. He continues with, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ for you” (1 Thes. 5:16-18).

That is probably more important than reminding us not to return evil for evil.

After all, in the midst of the noise, how can we rejoice and give thanks if we’re focused on our own agenda or the current mess, much less on the venom being flung about?

The only way to rejoice and give thanks is if our focus is on the Lord. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is sovereign over all—including our personal agenda, our country, and the candidates. He is sovereign whether we acknowledge it or not. His purposes will be worked out.

He is also faithful to hear our prayers and to answer them, if we keep His covenant (i.e follow Him and obey His commandments) and cry out to Him.

I’m also reminded of the battles that were won by the Israelites when the people were led into war with the singers praising God—not by sharp-shooters or those with the sharpest tongues.

In 2 Chronicles 20:1-30, for instance, Jehoshaphat was greatly outnumbered by his foes, but he sought the Lord and stationed singers in the front to lead the army into battle. Jehoshaphat lifted the Lord up, and the Lord fought for him.

Israel rejoiced over his enemies. They won without even fighting.

We don’t need to tear down our enemy with insults and slander. If we pursue what is good for all while thanking, praising, and calling out to God, we don’t need to worry about whether or not we win.

We can trust God with the outcome.

On the other hand, God said, “IF my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14).

IF My people .. .. If.

So what happens if we don’t?

I believe we’ve seen what happens when we don’t. I believe we are witnessing the results of taking matters into our own hands.

It’s important that we vote. That we are responsible to do what we can to elect the person that most clearly will work to establish biblical principles of governing.

It’s even more important that the children of God put our hope in Him and do what we can to place the battle in His hands so that His “eyes will be open and [His] ears will be attentive to prayer made in this place” (2 Chron. 7:15).