What are some biblical ways to love those you disagree with?
Philippians 4:2
ESV - 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
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Asked November 06 2020
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Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
God commands us to love other people (Leviticus 19:18), which indicates that God regards loving them as an act of the will, rather than something that is dependent upon our feelings or emotions toward them. Based on this, C. S. Lewis noted in the chapter on charity (that is, Christian love) in his book Mere Christianity (which is fully viewable online at https://www.truthaccordingtoscripture.com/documents/apologetics/mere-christianity/Mere-Christianity.pdf) that, if we do not possess such feelings toward another person (as in the case of someone with whom we disagree), we should ask ourselves, "How would I act toward this person if I DID love him/her?", and then act that way. Over time, we will then find that our feelings will follow our actions. (In his chapter on forgiveness in the same book, Lewis also included a very instructive discussion of what it means to love your neighbor as yourself.) (Finally, in Jesus' parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) -- which He told in response to the question, "Who is my neighbor?" -- Jesus said that loving someone as a neighbor is demonstrated by actions (that is, showing kindness or mercy to him or her), even (or especially) if those individuals are members of opposing groups that commonly regard members of the other group as evil or inferior.)
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
We must listen to understand, not argue. To James who wrote in James 1:19 that speech was of silver, and silence of gold. My wife, Kay, often tells me, "Jack, silence is golden" when she wants peace in our house. She adds, "Jack, you don't listen to me; that's your problem!" In this (James 1:19) and as in many other passages of his Epistle, James was echoing the teaching of the wisdom books of the Old Testament (Proverbs 13:3; Proverbs 17:27; and Ecclesiastes 5:2).
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