To Say or Not To Say.... That is the Questions!

So its been over a week since my last post and I apologize if you have been checking this blog every day for a new post ha. But over these past weeks I got to ponder what to write about. A month or so ago at the Christian Student Union (CSU) we had a guest come in discuss their view on homosexuality. If two people of the same sex are "In Love" then she believed that it homosexuality wasn't a sin and they should be allowed to get married. Many people in the audience did not have the same views as she did, and had strong Biblical evidence to back up their claim against her claim. Many people believed that homosexuality is a sin. They became anxious and began to debate with the woman on her views and Biblical evidence that homosexuality isn't a sin. Many people in the audience felt compelled to correct the woman in her theology. I, having debated this subject with friends over the past 5 years, sat back and wasn't compelled to speak up and correct the lady. Afterwards many people asked of my opinion on the matter and unlike most people I didn't feel compelled to attack the woman on her views. I was content to sit back and listen to what she had to say, but the Bible does talk about correcting people who speak of false teachings. 2 Timothy 3:16 states,

"All Scripture is God-breathes and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

This made me wonder. When should I speak up and correct someones beliefs and when should I sit back and listen to what someone has to say? I am not really sure to be honest. As Christians we are called to respect others, but we are also called to correct people when they are not speaking the truth. James 1:19 says

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry"

So when does correcting someone cross the line of disrespecting someone? This question has continued to trouble me and I haven't found a clear cut answer, but over spring break my mother gave some good advice. She stated that "We should correct someones teachings, be it theology or belief, if they know better, and should listen to peoples beliefs and sit back when they don't." This really made me think. How often do I do that? That woman speaking at the CSU has been apart of the church for a long time and I would have to agree that correcting here views was appropriate, but so often Christians, including myself, interrupt people's arguments in a disrespectful way. Many people have not studied the Bible in depth and it would be wrong for Christian to correct their argument before listening and talking to them in a respectful way.

To conclude, I still don't know when to listen versus attacking and correcting, but I believe my mom has a good rule of thumb to consider.

Can't Touch This!