To state the obvious, it is another election year. Recently, election years have escalated a tribal instinct within all of us.

What do I mean by tribal? We draw lines in the sand and make judgments like, “you are either with me or against me.” We “circle the wagons” and insulate ourselves from those who are different (for any reason) than we are.

There is a tribal instinct within all of us. It may stem from a dormant biological need to protect ourselves. Often this tribalism is expressed in benign and innocuous ways like, “I spend time with people who I agree with.”

The dark side of tribalism is that we start to hate the other. Once that hate grows, any means to shame or hurt the other is justified. Why? Because they are in the wrong and they are bad. To be clear, anyone who takes a side in anything, if they are passionate enough, it can lead to hatred if they do not guard their heart.

We see an example of this in the gospel of John when the Pharisees bring a woman who was caught in the act of adultery to Jesus. They wanted to stone this woman to death and catch Jesus in a trap to arrest him.

The religious leaders hated this woman for breaking the law and they hated Jesus for teaching about love and forgiveness.  They absolutely felt justified in their actions.

This was a “two birds one stone moment” for the religious leaders. It was just short of mob action.

Most of you know, Jesus deescalated the situation by saying, “When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’” John 8:7

The religious leaders were ready stone her and arrest Jesus because of their hate of her sin and Jesus’ message of grace and love. They knew they were right and they would be justified in their response.

Tribalism evokes that sort of response today. That person is wrong, that group or individual is terrible… let’s go after them.

Yet Jesus stands between the woman who is wrong and the religious leaders who are hateful and says, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone…”

Two wrongs never make a right.

Jesus would say the same thing to us if we resorted to the same kind of hateful attitude or action. I’ve said it at church but let me say it again, “we are a no stones church.“

In a tribal mentality, people get spun up by others and it eventually leads to hate. And hate leads a person away from Jesus.

Jesus knew this and is why he said, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27–28

This applies to “perceived enemies” and people you don’t agree with. Once hate takes hold, people will say and do very ugly things and can justify every single negative action.

Even King Solomon knew the dangers of hate when he wrote Proverbs 900 years before Jesus.

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12

In other words, give love a chance before reaching for hatred and conflict.

We have been given a gift that is so unlike the world we live in. The gift is the Church of Jesus Christ. The Church stands above all notions of tribalism and line drawing. Jesus calls us into a new reality where the lines of division can be erased if we let love and forgiveness lead us into a true reflection of the Kingdom of God.

Remember, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

I want to be a known as a child of God, what about you?

If you are struggling with having a tribal mindset, if you are quick to jump on a bandwagon of hate and anger. It’s time to take breath and breathe deep the Spirit of our loving God.

Like I said earlier, elections years have made all of us a little edgy. Turn to Jesus, turn to his love.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31

If, while reading this you thought, “so and so should read this.” Maybe they should. However, go back and read it again for yourself.

God bless you,
Pr. Ben