Ad Hominem Disagreement—A Sign of Weak Faith

When you disagree with another Christian, don't use ad hominem methods unless you want to highlight your lack of discernment.

When we disagree with someone in person or online, we can do it one of two ways:

1. We can respectfully disagree—sticking to the subject, politely offering scriptural support for our view.

2. We can make ad hominem arguments—rudely attacking the character and faith of those who hold the view.

When I write about controversial subjects, I strive to do it politely without mockery, sarcasm, or rudeness. 

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6

Most Christians respond politely, but there are always a few who respond ad hominem style. 

When people ignore God’s commands about Christian speech in order to make their point, they prove they aren't objective or discerning.

We need not agree on every subject. But when we disagree, we need to act like Christians.

For more on appropriate Christian speech:
Matthew 5:22; Luke 6:45; Ephesians 4:29
6 Rules of Christian Speech
3 Times to Bite Your Lip

When you disagree with another Christian, don't use ad hominem methods unless you want to highlight your lack of discernment.




When you disagree with another Christian, don't use ad hominem methods unless you want to highlight your lack of discernment.

 
Bible Love Notes

5 comments:

  1. Yes!!! It makes me
    So sad When I see ‘Christians’ on Social Media lashing out and being so unkind and yes, even hateful on certain topics. That is not how we are to represent the Lord and turns others off to the Gospel.

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  2. Everyone falls short we Al struggle in different areas sure we can can throw scriptures around to those who fall short in diff areas problem with online teaching we r all a work in progress.. ..God disciplines those he loves

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  3. When I was a child, I was an Enid Blyton fan, especially of the Famous Five. Of course, my hero was Georgina, who insisted on being called George, dressed in boy's clothes, and believed she was "as good as a boy any day". So for a while, I decided I wanted to be like George (and I really believed that boys had more fun!!). I suppose I was a tomboy, but did I think I was a boy? No! Did I want to actually become a boy? No! Even though I "knew" boys had more fun, I also knew that I would not really want to be one. A few years later, as I entered my teens, I began wishing for an older brother - so he could bring his handsome mates home with him! (I was an only child - a brother of any sort did not happen!!). I thank my Lord God for the way he made me - female, very normal (I think so anyway, mother of a daughter and two sons, and grandmother of two granddaughters and 4 grandsons!). Praise Him!!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Unknown, there is nothing wrong with being a tomboy. In our modern culture, men with some feminine characteristics and women with some masculine characteristics are stereotyped or pressured into thinking they are gay. But there is nothing wrong with these characteristics.

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  4. It is often expressly realized that a word loosed cannot be returned. Something can't be unsaid, but there is an edit button; usually on social media sites. God knows all deleted comments need to be confessed of in true repentance.

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