It’s pretty common these days to come across someone whose opinion differs from our own. How do we respond? Are we answering with gentleness? Or the opposite?
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)
You can’t throw a stone these days without hitting someone who has ideas and opinions that are completely opposite of your own.
In a time when debates over masks and social justice have people on edge and ready to shout their thoughts from the rooftops (as well as the Costco aisles and city streets), it seems that we have lost the ability to speak gently and with respect.
So when someone asks our opinion, how are we responding? Are we answering with respect for the questioner? Or are we offering only vitriol?
Gentleness & respect go farther than anger & ridicule
When Peter offered this guidance, he was referring to people who would want to know what the early Christians believed. Why were they putting their hope in this man Jesus?
Some of the questioners would be honestly curious. Some would surely be hostile. But whichever attitude that person brought to the discussion, the answer should always be given with gentleness and respect.
That goes for us, too. When someone wants to know why you have hope in the face of so much hopelessness, answer in a way befitting a Christian with Jesus in their heart.
When someone wants to debate politics and social injustices, regardless of where you stand, answer respectfully. Your gentle answer will grab their attention faster than any bombastic speech.
As a parent, I learned that the only way to reach my children when they were upset and yelling, was to talk quietly. My gentle words quieted them down, for no other reason than they couldn’t hear me over their own voices.
When someone speaks rudely, are you even listening after the first slight? Or have you tuned them out to coordinate your own verbal counter-punch?
Gentleness gets people to listen and keeps them listening. As Christians, we owe each person the same respect we want because they are as much a child of God as we are.
Jesus in our hearts should also mean Jesus is in our words.
Have a blessed Monday!
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