EP 35: How to Disagree Respectfully

I worked a 14-hour shift at the polls last week for Super Tuesday. And every passing week takes us deeper into an election season that is looking more and more like a repeat of 2020. Which makes me think now would be a great time to review an important concept that seems to have been lost in our current cultural climate:

And that is the ability to discuss differing opinions in a civil manner. We've forgotten how to respectfully disagree.

This skill is of vital importance, not only in discussing politics, but in dealing with anybody who believes differently than you do: friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers.  Chances are, you have SOMEBODY in your life with whom you don’t see eye-to-eye 100% of the time.

So, how should we respond when those differences threaten to divide us? To isolate and alienate us? That's the topic of discussion for this week's episode of Loving Life at Home. So grab your cup of coffee and listen in!

Show Notes VERSES CITED:

- James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all..."

- Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other...."

- Galatians 5:15 - “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed ...."

- Romans 14:5 - "One person considers one day more sacred than another...."

- James 1:19 - ": Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

 - Proverbs 19:11 - "A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense."

- Matthew 12:36 - "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment...."

- Proverbs 13:3 - “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives....”

- Colossians 3:12 - "...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness....”

- Ephesians 4:26-27 - "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger...."

- Proverbs 29:11 - “A fool gives full vent to his rage, but a wise person holds it in check.”

- Proverbs 14:29 - "Whoever is patient has great understanding....”

- Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 

- Romans 3:10 - "As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one...."

- 1 Peter 3:10 - "For whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil...."

- Romans 12:3 - "...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think...."

- James 4:6 - “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

- Philippians 2:3 - "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind....”

- 1 Corinthians 13:1 - "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love...."

- Ephesians 4:15 - “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way....”

- 1 John 1:9 - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.....” 

- Isaiah 1:18 - “Come, let us reason together.” 

- Proverbs 3:21 - “Do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight....”

- Proverbs 16:4 - “The LORD has made everything for its purpose....”

- Hosea 14:9 - “Let those who are wise understand these things....”

- Matthew 7:12 - “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you....”

- Deuteronomy 12:32 - “So be careful to obey all the commands I give you....”

- James 5:12 - “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth....”

- Proverbs 10:19 - "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable...."

- 1 Peter 2:1 - "So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander."

- 1 Timothy 4:12 - “Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live....”

- Daniel 4:17 - “The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict....”

- Proverbs 21:1 - "The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD...."

- Romans 8:28 - “God works all things together for good to those who love Him....” 

- Genesis 50:20 - “As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good....”

- 1 Cor. 10:31 - “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

- Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers...."

- 1 Peter 5:8 - “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around....”

- Ephesians 6:13-18 - "Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that...."

RELATED LINKS:

- EP 34: #1 Rule for Building a Happy Marriage - more on living by the Golden Rule

- 9 Ways to Diffuse a Disagreement - tips for calming strong emotions in yourself & others

- How to Stop Arguing with Your Spouse - tried and true advice for cultivating a peaceful home

- Praying for My Enemies - a free printable prayer guide to help in this area

 

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