Debating

​Meditation
Jude 9--Yet Michael the archangel, when he was disputing with the Devil in a debate about Moses’ body, did not dare bring an abusive condemnation against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

“According to new early estimates from ABC, 57.459 million audiences tuned in” to watch the presidential debate.[1] After observing two candidates running for the presidency argue for ninety minutes, it was evident why Scripture is such a powerful source of help and truth to those who apply it and why worldly leaders often disappoint as role models. As a disclaimer, this was a political debate whose goal was to win seemingly by whatever means necessary. Nevertheless, here are fourteen Scriptural guidelines for what not to do and to do while debating:
 
#1. Don’t dodge the question asked to promote your agenda and avoid accountability. That’s disingenuous. “A man takes joy in giving an answer; and a timely word—how good that is!”—Proverbs 15:23
 
#2. Don’t harshly denigrate an opponent by name-calling and making comparisons that cannot be proven. “All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ”—Ephesians 4:31,32.
 
#3. Don’t disparage your opponent’s record for the whole debate, and then, at the end, position yourself as the positive candidate only concerned with the future. That’s hypocrisy. “Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good”—Romans 12:9. 

#4. Don’t share unsubstantiated facts as truth.  That’s foolishness. “No one makes claims justly; no one pleads honestly. They trust in empty and worthless words; they conceive trouble and give birth to iniquity”—Isaiah 59:4.
 
#5. Don’t falsely accuse your opponent of supporting a platform they already stated they had nothing to do with or bring up stories already shown to be false.  That’s lying. “Let the arrogant be put to shame for slandering me with lies; I will meditate on Your precepts”—Psalm 119:78.
 
#6. Don’t accuse your rival of misconduct you have committed. That’s gaslighting.   “The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things”—Pro. 15:28.
 
#7. Don’t indict the other party for harmful actions they will supposedly take. That’s defamation. “Don’t accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no harm”--Pro. 3:30.
 
#8. Don’t retaliate against false claims, charges, and accusations or respond to an adversary’s goading or baiting. “The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush, but the speech of the upright rescues them”—Pro. 12:6
 
#9. Don’t belittle and use condescending and inflammatory language. That’s prideful and off-putting. “The lamp that guides the wicked— haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—is sin”—Pro. 21:4.
 
#10. Don’t interrupt the moderator with an answer without hearing the whole question. “The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things”—Pro. 18:13.
 
#11. Do take the high ground instead of mud-slinging. “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person”—Colossians 4:6
 
#12. Do seek the help of the Holy Spirit instead of relying on oneself. “My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit”—1 Corinthians 2:4
 
 #13. Do be kind, gentle, and respectful. “However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame”—1 Peter 3:16.
 
#14. Do be honest and trustworthy. “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech”—Psa. 34:13.
 
Here are two bonus thoughts for moderators:
#1. If you are going to cast doubt on the authenticity of one candidate’s remarks by disputing (fact-checking) and insisting a question be answered, you must do it for the other candidate.
 
#2. If you have set rules for the debate, enforce those rules, or etiquette is lost, and a double standard is created.  
 
Inspiration
“I believe that the pursuit of truth and right ideas through honest debate and rigorous argument is a noble undertaking.”—Charles Krauthammer
 
©2024 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.     
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)


[1] https://www.tvinsider.com/1151510/debate-ratings-donald-trump-kamala-harris-debate/