10 ways to love: Answering without arguing

 

Kylie Voight

Answer without arguing

Here’s the post for this week! I know the scripture for this week was Proverbs 17:1 but I didn’t end up using it. After looking at context and commentaries, I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t very fitting for the topic. Let me know if you have any changes you think should be made!

The next way to put love into action is by answering without arguing. How many times do you ask someone to do something and they complain before doing it? How many times do you ask a question and the response comes with an argument attached? Now how many times have you done this to others? I think we can all admit that we’ve done it at one point or another. We can show others love by letting our answers be simple and straightforward. 

In Philippians 2:14, Paul reminds us to “do all things without grumbling or disputing.” This includes speaking and responding to others. By doing this, we will stand out from the rest of the world. And that’s a very good thing, as we are called to be in the world but not of the world.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 says, “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” (NIV). God calls us to abstain from arguing as we will not be able to effectively share the gospel with someone when we’re arguing with them. We must be kind and instruct gently, as the verse says, trusting that God will take care of any change that needs to be made in that person.

I pray your week is filled with opportunities to be an example of Christ by showing kindness instead of arguing. I pray God gives you the strength to resist fighting and choose humility. And finally, I pray you feel an overwhelming sense of love from your Heavenly Father who does love you dearly.