When you attack someone with the hopes of tearing them down, more times than not you end up tarnishing not only their reputation, but yours as well.

With the Florida Republican primary approaching in a few days, mudslinging has reached a fever pitch. The sad truth is these presidential hopefuls are left looking anything but presidential in order to secure the nomination of the Republican party.

This show is not now, nor will it ever be about politics, so please don’t twist my words into some political commentary. On the contrary, I think there are great lessens in what not to do in your day to day life as a believer and I think you can learn from the ugliness that has taken over American politics.

2000 years ago, the religious leaders of my day spent most of their time looking for ways to discredit me. Sometimes even going as far as saying the miracles I performed were of the devil. This process simply left them looking petty and ill informed.

You see, the Pharisees saw me as a threat so rather than letting what they believed speak for itself, they chose to engaged in mudslinging just like modern politicians do.

The Pharisees had very different ideas than I did but when yoou look at the different denominations in Christianity, you have more in common than you may think.

Does this mean you shouldn’t defend your faith and beliefs to non-believers or correct one another in different denominations? No not at all. It means you should respectfully use scripture to guide each other – not to try and tarnish one another’s reputations.

Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Any time there are differing opinions in any group those from the outside who disagree will be watching intently to see how those disagreements are handled. The opposition does this because they know what all good strategists know, that there is nothing more destructive than infighting.

Sun Tzu, a Chinese General and military strategist in the 6th century B.C., wrote about dividing armies so they could be conquered on the battlefield.

It is disappointing that today, Christians of differing denominations still attack one another under the guise of defending the truth rather than guide each other in love and respect. This will ultimately lead to the downfall of the faith if not corrected.

The Father wants you to learn from my example…

Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Do you put obstacles in the way of other believers as you wrestle with the differences in your denomination verses theirs?

Romans 14:13
“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.”

Over and over in scripture God reminds you to treat your fellow believers in love and to live together in a way that glorifies God.

John 15:12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another…”

This is echoed in 1 Corinthians as well.

1 Corinthians 1:10
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

You are also to be above conceit, looking for opportunities to humble yourself and be in the service of other Christians.

Gal. 5:26
“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

John 13:14
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

Don’t harbor a something for something attitude with one another, but take the weight of your brother’s problems on your shoulders.

Romans 13:8
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Be patient with your fellow Christians, and be ready and willing to forgive.

Ephesians 4:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

The world and the enemies of God are watching you and how you interact with brothers and sister in the faith, waiting for you to divide so they can conquer. Don’t spend your time speaking against each other in a type of political mudslinging, encourage those in the family of Christ

James 4:11
11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,…