Is There A Godly Way to Disagree within the Body of Christ

Is there a godly way to disagree within the body of Christ?

Yes. But it involves a purposeful mindset.

1. Keep in mind you have much in common with the one with whom you disagree. You were equally guilty and saved by the unmerited favor of God. You are both adopted children of the King with the Holy Spirit residing in you as a guarantee of your shared inheritance.

2. The Holy Spirit is at work to perfect what was started in both of you on the day of your salvation. Neither one has reached that perfection yet! But we can trust that the He will continue His work. Paul recognized this when he wrote the Philippians: "If in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you." It is not up to us to convict people-state your position but trust the Holy Spirit to lead them to His truth.

3. Just as you hope they will do for you, choose to give the other person the benefit of the doubt. "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you," Jesus told his disciples. You don't want to be written off because of incorrectly assumed bad intentions or motivations. So extend that courtesy to them first.

Understand you have not walked in their shoes. We all carry baggage from the events in our lives. This person's position or actions may well have been influenced by trauma or negative experiences you have never experienced. As Hillel, a rabbi who lived several decades before Jesus, wisely said, "Judge not your fellow man until you yourself come into his place."

4. Stick to the issue at hand and resist the mud-slinging. We are on the same team! Our spiritual gifts were given to build up others in the body of Christ. When we go for the jugular, we don't build up, but tear down. It is easy in the heat of the moment to forget the all-important goal of contributing to our brother's growth.

5. Recognize the possibility you are (gasp!) in error. I'm too embarrassed to admit just how many issues I have hotly debated over the years for which I now hold a different conviction. Humility is never a bad thing.

It's OK to disagree. Iron sharpens iron. But make it a clean "fight". When we purpose to interact in a godly way, we reflect an important characteristic of our heavenly Father: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

"Therefore, do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts." 1 Corinthians 4:5