Reading: People Smart In Relation To Those With Whom You Disagree (Video Slides)

People Smart In Relation To Those With Whom You Disagree 

Henry Reyenga

Paul Encourages Being People Smart In Evangelism

Colossians  4:5   Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 

Good Reputation

1 Timothy 3:6-7   He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.  He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. 

Kind And Forgiving In All Relationships

Ephesians 4:32   Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

Take Responsibility As Leaders

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12    Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 

Remove Aggression And Passive Aggression

Discuss in a way that will build a person up. Discuss without malice.  

James 4:1   What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?  

Check Your Motives

Make sure that you are not comparing yourself to someone so that you feel aggressive toward them.

1 Peter 2:1   Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 

Respectful Discussions Not Debates

Salty conversations full of grace.

Colossians 4:6   Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 

Look For The Common Ground First 

Make the disagreement less and don't call attention to it so much. Avoid being opinionated in your discussions.

Acts 17:22   Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious....” 

Be Pleasant! 

Do not be rude.

1 Corinthians 13:5   It (love) is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Psalm133:1  How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

Generally Stay Out Of Politics Unless You Are In Them

A place with many fruitless debates.

1 Thessalonians 5:11   Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 

Apply Your Respect Equally

Poor or rich, giving or greedy, straight or gay, Muslim - Hindu -Catholic or Protestant, believer or unbeliever, friend - family - enemy -- Democrat - Republican -Independent, those with or without a record, everyone.

Luke 6:27    "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Practical Tips

1. Find areas of agreement. Be agreeable.

2. Find ways to minimize disagreements.

3. Stay pleasant and not rude.

4. Do not take offense and seek not to be an offense.

5. Admit when you are wrong. You don't have to be right or win. 

6. Generally stay out of politics.

Practical Tips

7. Encourage someone when they make a good point.

8. Respect everyone deeply as creations of God.

9. Do not harbor ill will to those you disagree with.

10. Be warm, smile and a blessing to everyone.

11. Be very slow to use the "God” card. That is like saying, I am right because I speak for God.”

12. Practice the above at home, at work and wherever you are.