How Can We Be Civil People In An Uncivil Time?

For Christians, being people of civility is at the heart of our biblical character and public witness. 

The commitments and steps necessary to be people of true and consistent character chart the path not just to civility but to godliness and the abundant life Jesus came to give us (John 10:10).

When we learn how to be civil with others, we learn how to be Christlike with the world. 

Then we "shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life" (Philippians 2:15–16). 

As people see Christ in our actions and hear the Spirit in our words, they are drawn to the Savior who is the source of true life (John 6:40).

Civility is the invitation and commission of God.

But it is challenging to be civil in an increasingly uncivil world.

So how can we, as Christians, be civil people in an uncivil time?

Civility Is Found In The Fruit Of The Spirit

The best description of incivility I know is found in Galatians 5:19–21: "The works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these."

By contrast, the best description of civility I know is found in the verses that follow: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (vv. 22–23a).

If we would be people of civility, clearly, we need to be people who manifest the "fruit of the Spirit."

Note that "fruit" is singular—these are nine manifestations of the one "fruit" demonstrating the Spirit at work in our lives. 

And note that they are the Spirit's "fruit," not ours. 

We are not called to try harder to make more fruit. 

Rather, we are to stay surrendered to the Spirit so he can produce his fruit in and through us.

For the next nine days, we will focus on each of these manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit.

NOTE: This devotional has been excerpted and adapted from Dr. Jim Denison’s book, Respectfully, I Disagree: How to Be a Civil Person in an Uncivil Time and includes some content from his work in The Daily Article.

Apply the lesson

• Reread Galatians 5:22–23.
• Does your life reflect each of these characteristics? If yes, how so? If not, why not?
• Pray that God would gently reveal your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the fruit of the Spirit. Which ones come easily to you? Which do you need to allow the Lord to bring forth more often?