Why, as believers in Jesus, is it important for us to be gracious and loving as we interact with people who disagree with us? What if they’re rude, antagonistic, mean-spirited?
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, by continuing to use this site you agree to this.
Find out more on how we use cookies and how to disable them.
reneehillman on January 17, 2011 at 8:26 pm
because god have made each of us different and by being different comes different belief. when face with someone who is rude and mean-spirited the best thing i think we as believers should do is to remove youself from them.
allend on January 18, 2011 at 11:08 am
NEVER ARGUE WITH SOMEONE, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT IT’S EASY FOR US TO LOVE THE ONES THAT LOVE US, BUT AN ENTRIELY DIFFERENT THING TO LOVE THOSE WHO ARE UNLOVABLE. CHRIST LOVED US, EVEN WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, SO WE NEED TO FIRST LOVE, SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE, AND ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LEAD THE CONVERSATION, HE WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO SAY AND DO. JESUS TELLS US THAT WE WILL HAVE TROUBLES, ALONG WITH TROUBLES COME PERSECUTION, BUT REJOICE IN THOSE THINGS, ARE REWARD IN HEAVEN WILL BE GREAT!
tintin on January 19, 2011 at 3:46 pm
yeah, right. as Christians we should never argue with someone. instead, pray for that soul and never give up in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s word will still prevail.
though it’s quite tough yet we must ask God to give us Christ-like manners and that is to love the unlovables.
“People may mock our message but they are helpless against our prayer…” -from Our Daily Bread Dec. 2010 issue entitled: “Praying for the Opposition”.
marymstrs on January 21, 2011 at 5:07 am
thank-you for that..You are so right..Christians must not argue but in a humble mannor treat everyone with dignity and love..Pray for your enemies or those who are not christian like as well as your loved ones…
esletspray on January 22, 2011 at 4:35 pm
. Jesus said in Matthew 5;38-44
You have heard that it was said “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth But i tell you not to oppose an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to him as well. If someone wants to sue you in order to take your shirt, let him have your coat too. If someone forces you to go one mile go two miles him. Give to everyone who asks you for something. Don’t turn any one away who wants to borrow something from you. You have heard that it was said “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, BUT HATE YOUR ENEMIES. BUT I TELL YOU THIS; LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU…We’re to love not hate.
zero_g on January 17, 2011 at 9:13 pm
It is important to be gracious and loving because actions speak louder than words. Never attack the person, only the issue.
The truth will prevail, have faith. You can do more damage than good by reacting as opposed to responding. It is best to leave if you feel you are going to give a reaction which is based on emotions.
tyanrain on January 17, 2011 at 11:14 pm
As Zero g stated, you must attack the sin not the sinner. When someone behaves in such a way, you have to remind yourself to not be moved by such ignorance. Be sure in your God and your faith. It is absolutely amazing what a Christ-centered response can do to make a troubled, parched soul yearn for more truth.
EnHezEmigz43 on January 18, 2011 at 3:01 am
It is important that we, the lights (agents) of Christ in the world, reflect the same light of humility, patience, and selflessness as Jesus did in His earthly ministry example. This will serve as a witness to the fact that ” we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us,” even be kind those who are not so kind, maybe, even win them over to a Christlike attitude. (Use every opportunity for ministry)
tom felten on January 18, 2011 at 9:40 am
Good thoughts, all! What you’re describing reminds me of the apostle Paul, who strived to reach people in winsome, personal ways: “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23).
agentleanswer on January 19, 2011 at 12:34 am
It’s always tempting when someone is rude or antagonistic to “give ’em a piece of my mind” when I am told by Jesus to “give ’em a piece of my heart”!
Proverbs 15:1 a gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stir up anger.
Good thoughts friends.
Thanks as usual Tom for food for thought.
KL
jstabel on January 19, 2011 at 4:51 am
Cool we all said it the way it should,the issue is if we retaliate then we are no different from them but our show of gentleness,meekness and love in these situations proves to them that we really have Christ in us.
loananna on January 19, 2011 at 9:42 am
I work with someone who is “mean spirited”, this person attacks me at every chance, I have grown weary. I pray daily but as of recent i have thought that maybe she is right…I have started to doubt my own worth and that maybe the direction i am going is wrong…The joy in being at the office has gone even the joy in doing my job. I pray for wisdom but as of now I feel like Job, I just don’t know what to do… I use to love my job but as of now it feels like maybe I am just achieving for my own worth, could that be why this persons attacks hit straight into my heart? Please pray for me to be strong in the Lord’s leading and that he will open my eyes to what to do and that his joy will return to my life..
zero_g on January 20, 2011 at 7:09 am
I think you hit on it. You are using your work to determine your worth. I pray that the Lord will lead you to a place where you are not dependent on what you get from work, be it money or talent, and gives you the courage to make a change for the better.
lindagma on January 21, 2011 at 7:25 am
loanana. There is nothing more difficult than going to work each day, knowing that you face attack. The fact that it is constant is like running water, wearing against a soft stone…eating away at you. That being said, try getting into a Bible study that gives you encouragement. If you don’t have one available, Beth Moore has some excellent resources. Her site is http://www.lproof.org. Take courage in knowing you are a child of the King and don’t try to go it alone. We all need Christian fellowship to keep us on track
In the end, your actions and lack of hostility will win out. Probably, the fact that you do not return the attack, is more irritating than if you responded in like manner. Our actions speak volumes and we live in an angry world…they don’t understand a soft word…but just like their harsh actions wearing away at you…your soft response will wear away the anger. I will be praying for you.