In this season of political warfare it seems that the hostility that Jesus faced is in full bloom. The questions of ‘why doesn’t she list the novel that she wrote?’ or ‘why did he insult the president that way?’ keep on coming. There are good questions to be asked. There are good reasons to challenge a record. But the looking at every word to see if it can be construed in a negative fashion is something we’re warned against as Christians. It is one of the ways our Savior was demeaned and diminished and tormented while in the flesh. And so we, who claim the name of Christian, should rise up in protest when we see these tactics used on either side of the aisle.

Luke 11:53-12:12
[53] When he went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very
hostile toward him and to cross-examine him about many things, [54] lying in
wait for him, to catch him in something he might say. [12:1] Meanwhile,
when the crowd gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another,
he began to speak first to his disciples, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees,
that is, their hypocrisy. [2] Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered,
and nothing secret that will not become known. [3] Therefore whatever you have
said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind
closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops. [4] "I tell you, my
friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing
more. [5] But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed,
has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! [6] Are not five
sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight.
[7] But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are
of more value than many sparrows. [8] "And I tell you, everyone who
acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the
angels of God; [9] but whoever denies me before others will be denied before
the=20angels of God. [10] 1And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man
will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be
forgiven. [11] When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the
authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are
to say; [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought
to say."