EP 35: How to Disagree Respectfully

I worked a 14-hour shift at the polls last week for Super Tuesday. And every passing week takes us deeper into an election season that is looking more and more like a repeat of 2020. Which makes me think now would be a great time to review an important concept that seems to have been lost in our current cultural climate:

And that is the ability to discuss differing opinions in a civil manner. We've forgotten how to respectfully disagree.

This skill is of vital importance, not only in discussing politics, but in dealing with anybody who believes differently than you do: friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers.  Chances are, you have SOMEBODY in your life with whom you don’t see eye-to-eye 100% of the time.

So, how should we respond when those differences threaten to divide us? To isolate and alienate us? That's the topic of discussion for this week's episode of Loving Life at Home. So grab your cup of coffee and listen in!

Show Notes VERSES CITED:

- James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all..."

- Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other...."

- Galatians 5:15 - “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed ...."

- Romans 14:5 - "One person considers one day more sacred than another...."

- James 1:19 - ": Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

 - Proverbs 19:11 - "A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense."

- Matthew 12:36 - "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment...."

- Proverbs 13:3 - “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives....”

- Colossians 3:12 - "...clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness....”

- Ephesians 4:26-27 - "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger...."

- Proverbs 29:11 - “A fool gives full vent to his rage, but a wise person holds it in check.”

- Proverbs 14:29 - "Whoever is patient has great understanding....”

- Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 

- Romans 3:10 - "As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one...."

- 1 Peter 3:10 - "For whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil...."

- Romans 12:3 - "...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think...."

- James 4:6 - “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

- Philippians 2:3 - "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind....”

- 1 Corinthians 13:1 - "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love...."

- Ephesians 4:15 - “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growi