Arguing is so 2020… Respond better with this tip…
When someone says something to you that is not true or offensive, how do you respond?
I often respond by saying that’s not true and laying out my evidence/argument to back up that claim.
Today, I was reminded to be:
- Quick to listen
- Slow to speak, and
- Slow to anger
Have you ever seen someone respond to someone they disagree with by asking a simple question?
The question itself breaks down the opponent’s argument without needing to get down in the mud with them.
There is something regal and expensive in responding in that way. 💅🏾
The best example that I have of this is with Jesus. He often listened to what people were saying, whether religious teachers, common people, or His disciples, and he would address the flaw in their thinking with a question about what they had said (i.e., “Who do you say that I am?” or “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?”)
And if what He heard was true, He responded with a simple statement to confirm that what he listened to was, in fact, the truth and follow that up with a statement made with authority and confidence, not defense:
These examples of responding wisely follow the framework outlined in James 1:19:
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” James 1:19 NIV
As we go off into our week, which hopefully will include time spent with family and friends for Thanksgiving, we will surely have opportunities to practice being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
I am praying for you as I pray for myself. We got this! 💪
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Hi! I'm Nikki.
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