Learn to deal with different opinions!

Since childhood people have different opinions, either for simple everyday things or even more serious questions, topics that need further deepening and reflection. Even within the church there are disagreements or different understandings on certain issues. And one of the points that makes fellowship so important is this one, through these debates and conversation, one can help the other to see more clearly. 

The divergent opinions in the book of Job 

In Job’s book, it is reported that they and their friends had different opinions about the reason for the tragedies that affected his life. Eliphaz, for example, was sure that his friend had committed some serious sin and was therefore being punished, as described in Job 22. On the other hand, Job was convinced of his innocence and believed that even God would be in his favor. 

In the course of the book, Job’s four friends presented their different and divergent opinions. As we read a few paragraphs we can even imagine them exalted, with each one defending his point of view. But it is also remarkable that there was mutual respect there. 

Each one listened to the other attentively, at times it was almost a speech, the placement of each one, even so, one expected the other’s turn to speak. Even Eliú, the youngest, had his turn. He waited his elders’ turn, but in the end he was also heard. 

Love others is live with the differences 

In John 15:12, Jesus leaves the greatest commandment, “That you love one another as I have loved you”. This does not mean that we have to agree on everything or everything, even because we are in a world where some differences are between what is right and what is wrong, but as new creatures we must know how to listen and have love for each other, which implies patience to explain their point of view as well. 

It’s natural in the times we live to see everyone with what appears to be a well formed opinion, I’m sure that if you open your social networks, whatever it is, you will come across several extremely opinionated publications, which is not a problem, but how we deal with this situation can be a problem. So, I ask you, have you stopped loving each other for diverging thoughts? Read 1 Corinthians 13 to remember what God’s word describes as love. 

Division of the Body of Christ

Now, going back to the churches, have you ever seen someone in your congregation resent each other for diverging thinking? Probably yes, I have seen this kind of situation myself, but this is not the way we should deal with our differences, because the division of the body of Christ weakens the church and the people, who end up becoming more vulnerable to attacks from the enemy. 

In Matthew 12: 25-26, Jesus shows the damage that causes division: “Jesus said: Every kingdom divided against itself will be desert, and every city or house divided against itself will not be replaced. If Satan expels Satan, divided is against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?

Conclusion

The first weapon to deal with disagreements is love, who loves his neighbor does not attack, but teaches. As it is written in 1 Corinthians 13, the verse I indicated above: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it does not take pride. It does not mistreat, it does not seek your interests, it is not easily angry, it does not hold a grudge. Love does not rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth”. 

So what I can say is that in order to deal with disagreements we must clothe ourselves with love, seeking to be peacemakers. In this way we can listen to each other and add to each other’s lives by teaching and exhorting in a wise way. Where there is much noise, and here I say metaphorically, no one is heard and consequently nothing is added. 

God bless you! 

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