Can We Get Along With Others?
Author: Katie Lemley, Ministry Team Administrative Coordinator
Truth Is - Part 7
Author: Katie Lemley, Ministry Team Administrative Coordinator
Truth Is - Part 7
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Can we get along with others? This can be a hard thing to do, particularly during an election year, when sometimes, it seems like our country is so divided. All you have to do is look on social media to find a post about a candidate and their flaws and problems. Even TV commercials can cause division and arguments when one political party creates a commercial to slander another party's candidate.
As you get older, you learn very quickly that the majority of people have very strong opinions when it comes to politics. It is easy to start an argument when you want to ensure your opinion is heard—but why? What do we gain by starting arguments? Do we really persuade other people to agree with us by voicing our opinions? Do we show other people the type of love that God wants us to convey?
As you get older, you learn very quickly that the majority of people have very strong opinions when it comes to politics. It is easy to start an argument when you want to ensure your opinion is heard—but why? What do we gain by starting arguments? Do we really persuade other people to agree with us by voicing our opinions? Do we show other people the type of love that God wants us to convey?
If you don’t agree with a person, ask God to give you patience. If they are believing or doing something that goes against the Word of God, pray God will change their heart.
On Sunday, Pastor Tim talked about how we can disagree with people by speaking the truth in love. How can we speak the truth in love? Pastor Tim listed five things we can do to show the person we are talking to is more important than our opinion:
1. You can seek to understand before being understood. In other words, listen before you speak. Let the other person talk and learn why they feel the way they do about a particular person or topic. Maybe they have had something happen to cause them to feel that way. Who knows, you may even learn something yourself!
2. Stop quarrels before they begin. Before arguing with someone, stop and consider if what you are about to say is going to change their mind in any way.
3. Show you love people more than you love your viewpoint. You can still be kind to someone even if they don’t share your viewpoint. Sometimes, the best thing to do is not talk about something that could start an argument. The Bible says in Proverbs 10:12, Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.
4. Speak less and softly. Many times, when you are disagreeing with someone, it causes a reaction if you raise your voice. Then, they will raise their voice, and an argument will escalate quickly. I know I struggle with that if someone is yelling at me. I am more likely to try and defend myself by yelling back; however, if they speak softly, I am more likely to listen and respect what they have to say.
5. Ask for God’s help in your situation. If you don’t agree with a person, ask God to give you patience. If they are believing or doing something that goes against the Word of God, pray God will change their heart.
What is one way that you can show kindness to others this election year? First of all, remember that keeping your opinion to yourself is okay sometimes. If you see something on social media and don’t have something nice to say, then don’t leave a comment. If you are around a friend or family member who doesn’t agree with you politically, ask yourself if what you have to say is really going to change their mind before speaking. Above all, pray for each other, especially if you feel that someone’s thoughts and actions do not align with what the Bible says.
1. You can seek to understand before being understood. In other words, listen before you speak. Let the other person talk and learn why they feel the way they do about a particular person or topic. Maybe they have had something happen to cause them to feel that way. Who knows, you may even learn something yourself!
2. Stop quarrels before they begin. Before arguing with someone, stop and consider if what you are about to say is going to change their mind in any way.
3. Show you love people more than you love your viewpoint. You can still be kind to someone even if they don’t share your viewpoint. Sometimes, the best thing to do is not talk about something that could start an argument. The Bible says in Proverbs 10:12, Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.
4. Speak less and softly. Many times, when you are disagreeing with someone, it causes a reaction if you raise your voice. Then, they will raise their voice, and an argument will escalate quickly. I know I struggle with that if someone is yelling at me. I am more likely to try and defend myself by yelling back; however, if they speak softly, I am more likely to listen and respect what they have to say.
5. Ask for God’s help in your situation. If you don’t agree with a person, ask God to give you patience. If they are believing or doing something that goes against the Word of God, pray God will change their heart.
What is one way that you can show kindness to others this election year? First of all, remember that keeping your opinion to yourself is okay sometimes. If you see something on social media and don’t have something nice to say, then don’t leave a comment. If you are around a friend or family member who doesn’t agree with you politically, ask yourself if what you have to say is really going to change their mind before speaking. Above all, pray for each other, especially if you feel that someone’s thoughts and actions do not align with what the Bible says.
Posted in Devotional
Tagged with truth, truth is, getting along, disagreement, love, speaking the truth
Tagged with truth, truth is, getting along, disagreement, love, speaking the truth
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