2 Peter 1: 5-6 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness.”
My mother used to say, “You can catch more flies with a drop of honey than with a gallon of gall.” When I was a child back in the 50’s (that’s 1950’s) I wondered exactly what that meant. Over the years I have learned, sometimes the hard way, just how right that saying really is.
In 1997, Margie and I were in the Jumo Kenyetta Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. We were waiting to board a British Airways 747 to London Heathrow and were only a few minutes from boarding time.
We were required to go through a security check and the only agent there was a young Kenyan girl that was definitely enjoying her position and was more than willing to destroy the day for about thirty Americans.
I was the first one in line (Pisces) at her station and she requested some unknown documentation she knew none of us had. We did not even know such a paper existed. I had been through that airport several times before and had never heard of the document to which she referred.
I instantly became agitated and was about ready to come unglued. By then our trip organizer saw something was askew. He came over and started smiling and sweet-talking this “young lady.” Within a minute or so, he had her “eating out of his hand.” She then decided to let us through without the “required” documentation.
Arnold Tanner from Lubbock, Texas taught me a lot that day. A few gentle words can sometimes accomplish more than a book full of harsh words.
My dad told me once, “No one ever wins an argument.” Neither side is ever convinced of the other no matter compelling the case presented. Usually hard feelings, or worse, will result, and at times, have a lasting effect.
Many of us have learned one can accomplish more with an act of kindness than acts of arrogance. If we appeal in a gentler tone, it emulates the actions of Jesus, not the world.
A cashier in a store once told Margie, “I can tell you’re a Christian.” A situation had gotten a little tense and Margie stayed calm.
She later told me about it and I asked her if she realized what a great compliment that was. To be recognized as a Christian without a cap or T-shirt is almost unheard of. How often do we destroy a personal Christ like image we know we should reflect?
Ephesians 4: 2 “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.” Dealing with an argumentative person is very accurately described in this verse. The key words are patience and tolerance.
We went through airport security in a European airport recently. The agent was being a real knucklehead and we quickly determined, if we wanted to make our flight to Philadelphia, we better agree with everything he said and be on our best Christian behavior. We made the flight.
First Peter 3: 15, “In your hearts revere Christ as LORD. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I have seen Christians become (or appear to be) angry when someone disagreed with them. This accomplishes nothing and is actually counterproductive. There is no reason to make anyone say or think, “If that’s what Christians are like, I want no part of it.”
2 Timothy 2: 24-26 “The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” It must be the ultimate goal of any Christian to win/convince the unchurched to become Christian.
We must always consider the last but greatest assignment Jesus made to us. “Go ye therefore and peach this gospel.” If we regard Heaven, Hell and Eternal life as real and true, there is no greater privilege and opportunity to serve our Jesus.
You, Christian, possess a knowledge that can change eternity for someone. Imagine what it will be like to be in Heaven and someone say to you, “I’m here because you told me.”
Displays of anger or arrogance undermine our credibility and purpose and are counterproductive to the ultimate goal. We can be a greater influence by being in a state of self-control. Proverbs 25:15 “By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.”
Christianity is simple; either you believe it or you don’t. Romans 10: 9-10 “If thou shalt confess (say it, believe it) with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” To believe this is one thing but to live it can be a challenge.
Van Yandell is a retired Industrial Arts teacher, an ordained gospel evangelist and commissioned missionary. His email: vmy2121@outlook.com