WASHINGTON – Instances of politically motivated harassment and bullying are dominating headlines today, inflicting many to ask – are we dropping civility in our nation?
Senate Chaplain Barry Black thinks, sadly, we're.
"When, because of political differences, people can't with their families enjoy the freedoms that this nation provides, we've got a serious problem," says Black.
For 15 years, Chaplain Black has ministered to senators and their workers from his workplace within the Capitol. He advised CBN News he is involved with what's occurring in the present day.
"A lot of incivility has to do with arrogance, swagger, trash talking," stated Black. "I think it's critically important that we lower the decibels. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A comfortable reply turns away anger", and we obey the Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12: "Treat others such as you wish to be handled."
Black says this tough and tumble world supplies Christians a actual alternative.
"I think Christians should be leading the charge in returning to civility by practicing what we teach and preach," explains Black. "Many times we have the rhetoric, but our actions will not back up the rhetoric."
Black says he witnesses that management in a bipartisan group of 25-30 senators who attend his weekly Bible examine.
"One senator said it's very difficult to pray for one another and then to leave the prayer breakfast and go up to the chamber and verbally stab that person whose hand you've just been holding," recounted Black. "We end the prayer breakfast joined hands praying."
He provides that Americans can be stunned to understand how a lot prayer occurs every day contained in the Capitol.
"There are many, many lawmakers who are modeling civility," says Black. "The challenge is that the legislative process by its very nature is adversarial."
When requested concerning the president's typically strident tweets, Black responded that God works in mysterious methods. He referenced the story of Joseph and his brothers within the Bible, and acknowledged that we by no means understand how God will take one thing the enemy meant for evil and use it for His good.
"My reaction is Romans 8:28: In everything God is working for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purposes," continued Black.
And he reminds residents of the ability in praying for knowledge for all our leaders.
"One of the things we fail to do as citizens that would be very powerful is to pray more for our leaders," claims Black. "The problems that we face require supernatural wisdom, we're not smart enough to solve many of our problems without divine guidance."
And when requested about how you can return to civility, Black turns to God's promise within the Bible.
"I think our citizens need to remember 2 Chronicles 7:14, and this is a promise that God will supernaturally bring healing to our nation, and that means all the branches of our government, and healing means greater civility," defined Black. "Whether the branches want healing or not, God says if My folk will do those things, they will bring healing to our nation."