"There must be a more positive way to behave towards those whose opinions and lifestyle are contrary to ours." Kathy Spampinato

We live in a culture that has become very intolerant. We are not agreeable, understanding, or patient with views, beliefs, or behavior that differs from our own. Not only that, but we have begun to be hateful and belligerent to the people who hold those different views. Hostility and aggression are shown towards those we do not agree with, and there is no attempt to understand: only to belittle or humiliate. The person who is different than we are, is viewed as the enemy. Have you been on the receiving end of this attitude or have you found yourself behaving this way towards others? Is this the world you want to live in? There must be a more positive way to behave towards those whose opinions and lifestyle are contrary to ours. We want our society to be unified and for people to be drawn together. Will showing our extremes of opposition do that? Let's look to God's Word for some good advice, and a strategy to guide us.

1 Peter 2:16 "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God."

As believers we are no longer slaves to sin, and we have peace with God and peace of mind. The fruit of a life with God is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal 5:22) We may not exhibit all of these attributes- especially at the same time, but they are growing and developing in our hearts if we let them. When we practice intolerance, anger, and hatred towards someone from a different background, religion, race or political ideology, we are destroying the work of God in our hearts to defend our opinions. Yes, there are those who oppose the work of God and the things of God, but does God then treat those individuals with distain? No.

Galatians 5:13 ESV "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Luke 6:27, 35-36 "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

Well, we have our advice. We are to be merciful, and choose love, blessing, and prayer towards others, regardless of their character or behavior. Are we able to come up to this level of grace? Are we able to love our enemies? It is certainly a challenge to find something redeeming in ourselves, and in those we really want to dislike. I try to look at the other person and see what they're dealing with. I can have empathy for those who are struggling, and understand those who are in pain. I've been there. I also try and remind myself that I cannot expect those caught in a trap of lies and deception, to walk as if they're free. I pray for grace for myself, and to see others the way God sees them. The angry and hostile person is a hurting person. I can have compassion for their pain, and pray for God to intervene and bless them.

Luke 6: 45 "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."

This verse reminds me that what comes out of MY mouth is a reflection of what is in MY heart, just as much as this happens with others. I have the grace of God to assist me and strengthen me. I can hold myself to a Godly standard. I do not have to follow the patterns of this world.

2 Cor 6: 2b- 7 "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity , knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; "

God has given us weapons of righteousness and the power of the Holy Spirit. We can have an influence for good in our society instead of following its ways. We can remove the obstacles blocking someone else's faith and hope.

Matthew 6: 9-10 "Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."