Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness - faith, love, peace - joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil's trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I was recently involved in a discussion with some family members about how people often assume that we share certain opinions - and proceed to engage in conversations we do not enjoy or appreciate. The question is… do you let your feelings be known and possibly spark an argument, or do you listen quietly – and risk further assumption by your silence that you agree? It really can be a dilemma.
We pretty well agreed that there are times we have to speak up… and times when the best option is to say nothing and remain as neutral as possible. In the most optimum situations, our silence will speak for us – and the others involved in the conversation will realize that we are “voicing” our disapproval.
But the lesson of this passage is two-fold:
- Never assume that the “other guy” feels as you do – about anything! Guard your conversations accordingly. For every person who agrees with your viewpoint, recognize that there may be at least one – maybe more – who does not. As my mother would say, “You may cut off your nose to spite your face.”
Here’s an example of this… you may disagree with a particular political issue that seems to potentially have a big effect on your particular business. So you voice your displeasure with this legislation – perhaps not so nicely – on social media outlets and in person. The thing is… for every customer who agrees with your position, you may have at least one who doesn’t – a customer who may hear your rants and choose to patronize another business! The same could be said for friends and acquaintances, fellow church members, and more. - Being argumentative could cost you big time in the long run! On this day, of all days, I am not saying that we should not be able to voice our opinions. But we have an obligation to prayerfully choose our words and actions. We may very well play directly into the devil’s hand if we are not careful! He would like nothing more than to see God’s children at odds with each other – over the most trivial issues, in the scheme of things.
My challenge to you is to carefully consider this scripture passage and take it to heart. Guard your words and actions. Have opinions… but stop and think about how you share them with others. Never assume that the people with whom you are interacting feel as you do… and tone down your behavior accordingly. By tempering your expression in this manner, you may open the door for another to soften his/her heart… and you make the devil furious. Any day I can accomplish this is a good day in my book!
Keep your cool. Be a gentle listener who walks away from impolite and argumentative discourse. Let your general demeanor and your spirit of grace, love and peace speak for you and reflect mature righteousness. Exercise your freedom and independence by choosing to work decently and patiently with others. Serve the LORD gladly… and honorably. Stand up for what you believe to be right and true… just do so prayerfully and with grace and gentle restraint.
©2012 Debbie Robus
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