A listening ear can sometimes be interpreted as an agreeable ear. For
many of us it’s hard to distinguish that fine line between hearing someone out
because everyone is entitled to his own opinion, or stopping an opinion by
pointing out when statements are in error and not factual. In hindsight I
usually regret not speaking up and thereby giving the impression I’m in
agreement. When I find myself in this, ‘I
wish I’d said…’ reflection, I can’t help but think of Saul watching over
the stoning of Stephen. I can only imagine (Saul) Paul’s later regrets at
keeping silent in the midst of false witnesses making false accusations. (Acts
7:54 - 8:1) I can’t help but wonder how often the clothes of false witnesses
have been laid at my feet.
2 comments:
Ouch. I feel my pain on this one. I am wondering if we should just pipe up and tell people we can't make a clear statement at the moment but there is something that seems wrong in what we are hearing. I know I need to be challenged on this point.
Thanks again.
Grace and peace
Gail;
-----The right to have an opinion heard does not logically follow the right to have an opinion. Actually, everyone has a right to not be bothered. But a society reduced to the level of a frantic search for rights is a pittiful society indeed. The better search is the one for duty. And the best search is the one for love's duty.
-----The first and smallest reason for hearing someone's opinion has nothing to do with the opinion. It has everything to do with the person. People are important. Of course, we know how important, seeing what God's own Son chose to do for them. Hearing an opinion builds relationship, and again, the point is not relationship with opinion. It may not build much; it just simply builds some, and a little is more than none.
-----But that is merely getting off the starting blocks. After the opinion is heard comes the decisions. All of the proper responses to a heard opinion would fill a book. Countering the erroneous and deceitful opinions is important where those opinions have a catalytic effect on further thinking. But whether it will or not, love itself brings us to counter error becuase it is a nature that speaks truth. Again, the person holding the opinion is the point of love. So the countering follows a gentle course and stops where either the gentleness stops or the person has become heavy of hearing. "Do good to all men, especially those of the household of faith." (Gal 6:10)
-----That is just the duty of love for the opinion hearer. The opinion holder has a duty of love as well. It is to continually study the areas concerning his important opinions, always testing and squaring them with the truth. It is to hold those opinions with some timidity and humilty until they grow into refined, logical conclusions having good accord with the reality God presents in the Bible and nature.
-----Unfortunately, many follow the braoder way of less precaution in their thinking. But we can be more than that for others, as wells as responsible opinion hearers.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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