I am sure that most have heard the saying that “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”. What I understand from that saying is that you will gain more traction in your movement if you are willing to treat those involved with a bit more gentleness than with quarreling and arguing the merits of the movement.
“24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” — 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (ESV)
Even in awaiting death, Paul is only thinking of the growth of those in Christ. He is writing to Timothy to encourage him, and in this passage, Paul is reminding Timothy to approach situations with care, gentleness, and patience. In doing so, those on the other side of the situation are more willing to listen and take heed. In my NIV commentary I read: “remember to listen to people’s questions and treat them respectfully, while avoiding foolish debates. I you do this, those who oppose you will be more willing to hear what you have to say and perhaps turn from their error.”
I am not all knowing and certainly not the expert at all things. I am willing to listen to the ideas and thoughts and opinions of others in the interest of getting to the truth and/or the root of the issue to be able to move forward in a thoughtful way. Differing opinions are just that differing opinions. They do not have to be “right or wrong”, they only have to be listened to and understood. When I am not willing to understand the opinion or thoughts of someone else, then I am leading them to the idea that they are wrong and place them on the defensive where they will argue the point to the end regardless of the consequences. It is for me as a Christian to listen and proceed with patience and gentleness to lead to repentance and understanding of all and therefore driving more reliance on God and not on man.
It is our willingness and actions toward gentleness that will encourage repentance of others. Not to me, but to God. That repentance is where one finds forgiveness. I am to drive others to Christ and not away from Him. That means that I should be taking the same overall approach of Christ and His patience, gentleness, and caring with all I come in contact.
What approach do you take with those who have differing opinions? Are you prone to holding onto what you believe is “right” and lead into quarreling and arguments? What if you were to provide patience, caring, and gentleness in the situations in order to present the glory of God and drive toward understanding in the interest of repentance?
Trevor's Thoughts 