While the Apostle Paul was giving wisdom about another subject, we should wisely heed his wisdom as we go through these coming months; Brothers, don't be childish in your thinking, but be infants in evil and adult in your thinking. (1 Corinthians 14:20, HCSB) Here are some thoughts on how we can apply these verses to this election cycle:

• Don't act childish on social media. We need to be discerning and share wisdom, but we can't act childish when sharing our thoughts. Verify what you read from others before sharing. Don't tear down an individual or his or her family; rise above these tactics. Don't engage in fruitless arguments. Share thoughts and others ideas that will help everyone make better choices.
• Remain true to Christian biblical values. Yes, our Christian beliefs should be reflected in our decision making. We can't separate what we believe from how we live as we make decisions.
• Gather your facts about each candidate, pray, and seek wise counsel.
• Listen carefully to each candidate's message. Be aware that each candidate is using tactics to condition you to his or her platform. Sometimes the message is designed as propaganda targeted at manipulating your emotions and conditioning your thinking. Don't allow yourself to be drawn in by these tactics.
• Filter everything you hear from the press and other media outlets. We may think that the press is neutral, but most aren't. Many have become political propaganda machines whose goal is to direct your decision-making. For example, the media is now calling what once was viewed as liberal thought as progressive thought. They are communicating that everyone else isn't progressive, including those with conservative views. In another instance, I watched as post-debate news broadcasters basically told viewers who they should vote for based on their analysis of the candidate's debate performance. Watch each interview very carefully. Look to see what they are trying to communicate to you. Don't let anyone condition your thinking.