How To Talk To People Who Think Completely Differently Than You Do

How To Talk To People Who Think Completely Differently Than You Do

1 Peter 2:12

Keep your behavior excellent, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God.

2 Timothy 4:2, 5

 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.  Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 2:14, 23, 24

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge the in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. And you must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged.

Titus 1:15

To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

    Here’s the deal.  Everyone basically thinks that they are right. Consequently, for the most part, if you have a difference of opinion, you aren’t going to change anyone’s mind about anything. And so the worst thing that you can do is get into a quarrel or mean spirited debate about a particular issue. However, if you truly believe something different than your friend, your co-worker, or your family member, of course you can tell them. It’s all in the way that you express yourself. But what you never; never want to do is to dilute your ministry. People are watching.  You are God’s ambassador in your world.  That’s why you want to keep your “behavior excellent” and your tone gentle.  Your ultimate goal should always be to “glorify God.” That means when people look at you and hear what you say; they can feel something positive, something different, coming from you.  Your mission should always be to let God’s love and wisdom shine through you.  If you start talking to someone who has a different opinion than you and you feel yourself starting to really heat up and get cranky; stop!  Take a breath. Pray before you speak.  If what you are about to say is never going to change the other person and truly only make things worse, remember your goal. Winning an argument isn’t what’s important.  What is important is being a living example of God’s goodness, wisdom and love.  Sprinkle good seeds by saying something nice and move!  To the pure of heart and of light spirit, things are always pure; and to the negative, dark spirits of the world, things are always dark.  Don’t fuss.  Don’t argue.  Sprinkle and move! Glorify God by keeping your behavior excellent. This is the best way to retain your peace, keep your relationships positive, and set an example for the people that God has placed in your world. 

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"Keeping Your Lamp Lit"
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