Alienating and Diverse Opinions

   We proclaim diversity in our relationships.  The little song is true...  "Red, yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight."

   While the battle of the tribes rage and "starting to be won," while our individual attacks on individuals, by loaded opinion, are getting deadly.  Speaking our mind displays what is in our hearts.  Those that machine gun multiple, or even shot gun harmful opinions,  do much damage, wounding friendly forces.

   Opinions obviously are not bad in themselves.  Attitude or hurtful intent behind the voice, brings the collateral damage.

   Those that dress in plaid, say they wouldn't be caught dead in paisley.  While people wearing paisley wonder what crazy person would wear stripes.  Those that attempt to look appropriate wonder why your weird enough to ever wear that color.  Here comes the person from his apartment looking like he spent the entire day at the hot sandy dunes or river fishing. He offers an opinion on the couple wearing matching polo shirts.

"I hate what you did to your hair."
"Who wears that anymore."
"You need to dress up more."
"Why does he dress up all the time."
"She talks to much."
"I wouldn't be caught dead in that."
"You need to lose weight."
"The church's music is to loud."
"This church is....."
and the beat goes on.

   I couldn't quickly (if at all) build a house.  That would take me years.  I could though, with a sledge hammer or wrecking ball, quickly destroy a house.  Building and investing in a life of someone, teaching and encouraging them would take some time.  Our hateful and spoken opinions can ruin a persons day, hindering positive growth and esteem.  Don't be surprised if they change direction when they see you coming.

    Opinions with a negative agenda are impolite and rude. Voicing a stabbing opinion will also hurt the attempt of a Christian to make disciples and be a witness.

Be kind to everyone. It's not wrong to have an opinion but realize we are all different.  Insure your opinions are biblical ones.

Read the entire book of Proverbs,  Phillipians 2,  Romans 12,13.  It would be helpful to you and me.

But...that's just my opinion.