I recently had a rather spectacular argument with one of my friends over a Facebook post. I don't think what I said was inappropriate, but the spirit that was with me was definitely one of contention.
So, how can one disagree? All my life, I've learned that disagreeing is wrong. That you ought to be amiable and get along with people. And I don't think I'm completely wrong.
There are times when all a disagreement calls for is increased understanding and love on my part.
But what if somebody is actually wrong? And what if the truth calls out to be defended? What if something actually needs to be said?
For example, Nephi often calls his brethren out in a very blunt fashion. Should I call my brothers out when they do things wrong?
But then again, Nephi also goes humbly to his father and asks his direction when his father is clearly not acting righteously.
The Savior often calls people out in a very blunt fashion with no apologies. He calls them "generation of vipers" and so forth. But then there are other times when he is silent and says nothing, but humbly endures abuse. Or still others when he takes the middle road, and loves the sinner, yet hates the sin.
Some answers from the Sermon on the Mount. =
And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
~~3rd Nephi 12:5~~
And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
~~3rd Nephi 12:9~~
And yet,
And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say no manner of evil against you falsely for my sake;
~~3rd Nephi 12:11~
So in short, the Lord cares about WHAT you say. But he cares a great deal more about HOW you say it.
Is my heart meek? Am I seeking to be a peacemaker? And yet am I standing for what I know to be right, even if it is likely that people will revile and persecute me?
What if I'm not sure I'm right?
I think the answer is, if you are going to challenge somebody's opinion, you ad better be be willing to accept the possibility, что тебе придётся изменить твоё мнение, if you find that you aren't correct.
ANOTHER QUESTION:
Am I living my version of Christianity? Am I living my version of the gospel?
It's a pretty good version, I think. There's a lot of good things that I"m doing. But if its not the Lord's version, then that's a problem. Am I moving too far to the political middle on certain things? Do I need to be more firm in my defense of the family, less compromising with my opinion of what's right and wrong?
If I went today and posted on Facebook, "Homosexuality is wrong and those who engage in homosexual relationships need to repent or they will be condemned by the Lord," then I would be 100% right. So then what's holding me back from posting it? The fear of losing friends? Am I more worried about that than with pleasing the Lord?
So, how can one disagree? All my life, I've learned that disagreeing is wrong. That you ought to be amiable and get along with people. And I don't think I'm completely wrong.
There are times when all a disagreement calls for is increased understanding and love on my part.
But what if somebody is actually wrong? And what if the truth calls out to be defended? What if something actually needs to be said?
For example, Nephi often calls his brethren out in a very blunt fashion. Should I call my brothers out when they do things wrong?
But then again, Nephi also goes humbly to his father and asks his direction when his father is clearly not acting righteously.
The Savior often calls people out in a very blunt fashion with no apologies. He calls them "generation of vipers" and so forth. But then there are other times when he is silent and says nothing, but humbly endures abuse. Or still others when he takes the middle road, and loves the sinner, yet hates the sin.
Some answers from the Sermon on the Mount. =
And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
~~3rd Nephi 12:5~~
And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
~~3rd Nephi 12:9~~
And yet,
And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say no manner of evil against you falsely for my sake;
~~3rd Nephi 12:11~
So in short, the Lord cares about WHAT you say. But he cares a great deal more about HOW you say it.
Is my heart meek? Am I seeking to be a peacemaker? And yet am I standing for what I know to be right, even if it is likely that people will revile and persecute me?
What if I'm not sure I'm right?
I think the answer is, if you are going to challenge somebody's opinion, you ad better be be willing to accept the possibility, что тебе придётся изменить твоё мнение, if you find that you aren't correct.
ANOTHER QUESTION:
Am I living my version of Christianity? Am I living my version of the gospel?
It's a pretty good version, I think. There's a lot of good things that I"m doing. But if its not the Lord's version, then that's a problem. Am I moving too far to the political middle on certain things? Do I need to be more firm in my defense of the family, less compromising with my opinion of what's right and wrong?
If I went today and posted on Facebook, "Homosexuality is wrong and those who engage in homosexual relationships need to repent or they will be condemned by the Lord," then I would be 100% right. So then what's holding me back from posting it? The fear of losing friends? Am I more worried about that than with pleasing the Lord?
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