Everyone has an opinion on everything. Even to say that I don't want to talk about this, says that their is already an opinion why not to talk about this. Recently I had to answer some hard questions for myself, the questions that I haven't been faced before in my life, it just never needed to be answered. I know there are more questions that I would have to answer in the future, but that time will come. So an opinion is good, not unless it is being taken in a demanded form: this is the only way to do this, no other way is the right way.
To demand something and ask it to be done, is possible—but it depends on authority that a person possess. Now biblically the authority only in the truth, no authority is in men—that's where the scripture is being tossed around to bash on those who has a different point of view. If I don't like something, it doesn't mean that I am right and the other person is wrong, it might be the opposite.
Things that I've learned and still learning to communicate when talking to a person who is strong about their opinione:
To demand something and ask it to be done, is possible—but it depends on authority that a person possess. Now biblically the authority only in the truth, no authority is in men—that's where the scripture is being tossed around to bash on those who has a different point of view. If I don't like something, it doesn't mean that I am right and the other person is wrong, it might be the opposite.
Things that I've learned and still learning to communicate when talking to a person who is strong about their opinione:
- Listen, be a good listener. We can't fully give an accurate response to a situation unless we fully understand that situation—and there always something we might be missing.
- Time, give time to think about what people have said. It takes time to give a good judgment towards an subject that is sensitive.
- Undertand a person. Think why did this person came to this kind of conclusion, be in that person shoes; maybe it would be better for both of you and him or her to leave this subject alone for a wile.
- Read, people before us have faced this question, how did they responded? what did they say? Look what the Word of God says, is this passage talking about this topic? what others passages have said about this issue? If we can't find a clear biblical answer, then the conversation will based on opinions.
- Heart, check how is our heart responding to this? Are we irritated by this? Do we have patients to behave calm and peaceful when talking about this? What are our motives when we think about this subject? Are we acting according to our pride?
- Space, leave space to be wrong. Being a human only guarantees us for a mistake. Understanding that we made a mistake, is growth in our personal life.
- Primary concern, is this something that need's to be discussed? "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless" (Titus 3:9).
Otherwise, you might look like these guys:
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