My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19
Are you dismissive of others? If someone disagrees with you, do you dismiss them without a second thought? As we delved into my post, “Does Hell Matter?” one thing struck me, as it usually does in these types of controversial discussions. Some people would rather dismiss another than actually listen to what they have to say and try to understand them. You don’t have to agree with them but make an effort to understand.
Why is it so acceptable to shut down another fellow believer? The bible tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. This is quickly forgotten within our circles. We want to be right. We are certain we are right and we can back it up with bible verses therefore, we are not obligated to listen. But does God actually tell us that?
No, He doesn’t.
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
Proverbs 17:27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Proverbs 17:27 a man of understanding is even-tempered. How do we gain understanding if we’re unable to listen?
Have you ever quickly judged someone and then much later you get to know them and their story and it all makes sense? If you hadn’t taken the time to learn about that individual, you’d have continued on with your own assumption of them, which might not be completely wrong but it wouldn’t be with complete knowledge either.
We need to invest in each other! That’s how we show love. Dismissing someone because they disagree with you or have a different outlook on things, is not loving and it is not Christ-like. Let’s live a life that not only represents Christ to non-believers but one that does not discourage a fellow believer. I don’t wish to be a stumbling block to either.
Great message! My biggest opposition since I stepped into ministry has come from other Christians. It’s so sad. I love this quote I heard once, “We don’t have to be united in mind but in heart.”
On another note, you are one of the winners in my giveaway for Warren Baldwin’s book on Proverbs. Congratulations! Email me where you’d like me to send it. Thanks for entering:)
Blessings to you and your ministry!
Amanda
So true, Mel! I also agree with Amanda. Let us spur one another on to good works and find common ground and that which unites us instead of picking apart. So much easier to see Christ in the gracious response. That turns heads AND hearts to Him!
Dawn Paoletta recently posted..Proverbs Challenge Invitation
Excellent post Mel and great comments Amanda and Dawn. Being dismissive – whether it be a church, group or person, is probably one of the biggest things that keeps many people shy of what we call ‘Christian churches’ and ‘Christian groups’.
I remember one time, when I was younger, asking some questions at a Bible study and being told to stop asking questions, that as long as we all believed the same thing (and that same thing was this preacher’s interpretation of course) it wouldn’t matter once we got to heaven anyway. I was told in no uncertain terms God did not want someone doing their own thinking in that church. I was dimssed – and my question took 20 years to find an answer to. It was right there in Romans, if he had only listened and looked.
I strive to not dismiss people and to be respectful of their perspective and place because it comes mostly from the journey we call life and those who influenced us. When we understand the context we can get past it to meet the person, and that is where grace comes abundant. Judging and dismissing before hand causes a loss of blessings and grace that is very sad.
Thanks for your blog Mel, it is a blessing!
Shanyn (Strawberry Roan)
Shanyn recently posted..Living Waters