It was in a context dealing with freedom that Paul issued the sober warning, “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:15 NIV). Paul used graphic terms of inhuman behavior in the words “Biting” (Greek - dakno, which means “to wound the soul, cut, lacerate, rend with reproaches”¹) and “devouring” (Greek - katesthio—”...to consume by eating...waste...to ruin...destroy” - J.H. Thayer, p.339). Apply Paul’s terminology to the current, long-extended Presidential Campaign—especially to the Presidential Debates—and glaring, repeated likenesses and similarities with Paul’s inspired and sober warnings are so evident in this political race!

Both candidates have surely used “freedom of speech,” (which is a trademark of our national “rights”), to attack and blast one another. If we were to collect and correlate the condemnatory comments each candidate has made about the other, we would surely and rationally conclude that they had convincingly proven neither one to be fit to serve this nation as President!! Conditions remind one of that yesterday when God said, “They have set up kings, but not by Me!” (Hosea 8:4). Some of the ethical and moral platform expressions of the two parties would be the  only hope or a reason to vote for either candidate! There is still much good in the land. The Constitution, leaders, and citizenry are redeemable.

The real caretaker of the nation—or of any nation—is God. He is Lord of heaven and earth (Acts 17:24). May we seek out His wisdom and insight for these significant times and decisions. Note Isaiah 58:2: “Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know my ways; As a nation that has done righteousness, and has not forsaken the Ordinances of their God. They ask Me for just decisions.” May His will be done!

¹J.H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1966, pg. 124