Untangling Truthಮಾದರಿ

Tangled Tension

Wow. There’s been a lot of learning about truth in the past four days of this Bible Plan! But today, you’re in for something a little more uncomfortable. A little more tense. 

Have you ever noticed that when some Christians learn God’s truth, they, um, sort of beat people over the head with it? 

Like, “Wait–you believe WHAT? Seriously? What you believe is WRONG. And YOU’RE WRONG!” 

Sorry about the shouting. But, it can be like that sometimes. When someone believes something different from what you believe, tension can grow. It’s tempting to want to boil every issue down to who is right and who is wrong. Us vs. Them. You vs. Me. How do you disagree with someone who doesn’t believe in God’s truth without getting all tangled up in a shouting match?

Watch this video from Judo Bob to learn a better way.

Judo Bob’s chopping his way through some truth! When we speak the truth in love, we cut the tension. Grace and truth! That’s living like Jesus! 

There was conflict when Jesus stepped onto this earth and there was conflict when He left. But the teachings He gave us stand up to opposing beliefs. We’re not called to passively sit back and say, “Meh, you do you.” It’s okay to disagree, especially when we see injustice. We just have to learn how to speak the truth in love. 

Remember: Grace and truth go hand in hand when connecting with people. Grace immediately establishes the common ground that we’ve all fallen short. No one has it all figured out. 

Ask yourself: Who is someone in your life you often disagree with? 

Challenge yourself: Spend some time thinking about where you can find connection and common ground with the person who was your answer to the “Ask yourself” question above. Find one specific way you can show love to them within the next week. 

Pray: God, thank You for sending Jesus. Thank You that Jesus shows me how to live in grace first, but also with truth. Help me to speak out from a place of grace when I see something unfair or unloving. Help me to speak out from a place of grace every single time I disagree with someone. In Jesus’ name, amen.