In religious debates, we are much too quick to attack those who disagree with us. Just because a person has come to conclusions other than yours does not mean that they are somehow evil. Besides, if you cannot bring them along in your processes by persuasion, don’t think you will if you vilify them for their conclusions. Nothing alienates quite so much as sarcasm. There are those who are now where you used to be; why attack their immaturity? What in your spirit makes you want to lash out at these? What fruit of the Spirit is missing in your debates? You who rant against control, are you not trying to control by the way you handle folks whose opinions or beliefs are contrary to yours? Wisdom is peaceable. It is best embraced if it is presented with kindness. If your wisdom is presented with harshness, your harshness will be rejected along with what you think to be your wisdom.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:17–18 NASB)
