“Friends, Jesus occasionally used harsh words to describe the hearts of the wicked anti-christs about him, but we do not see him hurling insults at people in verbal one-upmanship. He was silent at times. He prayed for his accusers. Boldly, he always spoke truth, but there was a dignity and honor with which he walked and spoke.”

They are like two middle school boys. In the recent South Carolina primary, I had dear friends vote for each of these fellows. In the national election, I may very well find myself having to vote for one of these two men. However, at this point in the process, if I have to put a check next to one of their names, I will be doing so with a queezy feeling in my gut. These two presidential candidates, they are displaying a lack of honor, dignity, charity, self-control, and class. I am embarrassed for them, for me, for America, for the Republican Party, and for the church of Jesus Christ.

They remind me of an Archie Bunker or Roseanne Barr sitcom. They address one another, in front of a huge television audience, in a manner I would not tolerate in my children’s rooms or in my soccer team’s locker room. Then after their emotional outbursts, they galavant all over the country repeating their best lines like a Don Rickles or Andrew Dice Clay performance. Mr. Trump mocks “Little Rubio” for his size, his sweating, his make-up, and his ears. Slanderously he says Rubio is so hated in Florida he could never get elected for a dog-catcher position. He refers to Mr. Cruz as a horrible individual and even encouraged a woman to yell out a crass and derogatory term for his competitor.*  Mr. Rubio gives tit for tat. He lowers himself to the level of his most arrogant opponent and carries on talking about Donald’s spray-tan, bad hair, poor spelling, small hands, and possible pant-wetting.

I have had enough of their immaturity. I have had enough of the show; the cuteness has gone away a few episodes ago. I have had enough of their parading their sin in front of our nation and my family. I have had enough of my Christian brothers defending their manner of conservation with lines like, “Well sometimes that is what a winner has to do to be the last man standing.” Friends, regarding their immature name-calling, cat-fights, temper-tantrums, gossip and slander, I say “Enough said!”

However, I wonder, how are my thoughts and words? How do I express myself? Am I charitable to my opponents? Am I one with a kind tongue towards those with whom I disagree? What sort of father am I? Am I tender with the tongue towards my wife and children? What kind of soccer coach am I on the sideline? Would it be best for me to “shut my yapper?”

Friends, Jesus occasionally used harsh words to describe the hearts of the wicked anti-christs about him, but we do not see him hurling insults at people in verbal one-upmanship. He was silent at times. He prayed for his accusers. Boldly, he always spoke truth, but there was a dignity and honor with which he walked and spoke.

We see Stephen praying for those throwing stones his way.

Paul showed respect to the wicked authorities with whom he debated.

In our history, Christian’s could be heard singing and praying while being attached to stakes for burning.

Christians, consider the teaching of James:

So the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness … set on fire by hell … It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.     (James 3:5-10)

Joseph A. Franks IV is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and is Pastor of Palmetto Hills Presbyterian Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina.  This article first appeared on his blog, and is used with permission.