How to Disagree Like a Christian
Below are some gracious ways I've learned over the last 24 years of ministry to disagree with people over hot topics that are non-essential to basic Christianity. And yes, I have not always done this right and have learned the hard way. 🙂
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- HOLIDAYS -
*Christmas* Right Way: "I am sorry, I don't celebrate Christmas because it's not in the Bible and I don't want my children to think Jesus's birth is about them getting stuff. Nor do I like doing things that can be misunderstood as pagan or worldly."
*Christmas* Wrong Way: "I don't celebrate Christmas because I read on the internet how certain customs came from pagan or non-Christian traditions and thus everyone who celebrates Christmas is a pagan."
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*Halloween* Right Way: "No thanks. Our kids will not be joining your kids for Halloween in the neighborhood because I don't want them to be exposed to evil, blood, and gore. As a Christian, I want to focus on spiritually wholesome things like beauty, life, and purity."
*Halloween* Wrong Way: "I will never celebrate the "Devil's Day" because I don't want my children to be demon-possessed like yours."
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- ALCOHOL -
Right Way: "I will pass. I do not see anything positive coming from alcohol and I believe it can cause others to stumble. The Bible warns against drunkenness and the appearance of evil."
Wrong Way: "I don't drink because alcohol is sinful and those who drink it will go to hell."
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- CHRISTIAN DELIVERANCE -
Right Way: "I believe Christians can be spiritually harmed by evil spirits and I want to help them experience freedom in Christ."
Wrong Way: "If you don't believe Christians can have demons, you have a demon."
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- WOMEN IN MINISTRY -
Right Way: "I see Paul's restrictions to women in certain epistles as applying to all women in every context for all times. Therefore, we want to honor women in the church in other ways other than ordaining them as pastors/preachers."
Wrong Way: "If you ordain women in the ministry you are a liberal Christian like those who affirm the LGBT lifestyle."
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- GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT -
Right Way: "I believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still for today and are available to every Christian."
Wrong Way: "If you don't speak in tongues (or operate in the other gifts) you are not saved and don't have the Holy Spirit."
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By God's grace, I have kept friendships with those who have different opinions based on God's Word from all that was listed above. My prayer is not that we water down our convictions but truly love the Body of Christ and honor it, even when we disagree.
Colossians 3:15, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace."