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Should I, or Shouldn't I ENGAGE?
In this day and age, it’s easy to cherry-pick Bible verses to suit our own desires and viewpoints. We are all guilty of it. So how do we ensure that when we have a conversation with someone (either in person or online), we are doing so in a healthy, biblical manner?
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus taught us how to interact with God’s Word. After fasting for 40 days and 40 nights, Jesus was quoted Scripture by none other than Satan himself. One could even argue that other than God, no one knows Scripture better than Satan, who like many in the world, quote Scripture to serve their own pride and passions. In response to Satan’s schemes, Jesus looked at the whole Word of God and responded accordingly (Matthew 4:1-11).
When engaging in a conversation with someone, here is a list of questions to ask yourself before proceeding. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it provides a good starting point for anyone that calls themself a Christian.
If, after reading a few questions, you come to the determination that you can’t converse like this, then please consider taking the time to engage with your Bible more thoroughly. If anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:5-6).
- Does what I’m about to say embody loving my neighbor as myself? (Mark 12:31)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Am I getting entangled in a conversation that is going to draw me away from proclaiming the kingdom of God? (2 Timothy 2:4, Luke 9:59-62)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - Will I be speaking evil about someone? (Titus 3:2)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - Will I avoid quarreling and godless chatter? (Titus 3:2, James 4:1, 2 Timothy 2:16)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Will I be kind and gentle in my speech? (Titus 3:2, Ephesians 4:32)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Will I be showing perfect courtesy toward all people? (Titus 3:2)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - If I engage in a question, will my answer be soft in my speech? (Proverbs 15:1)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - If I feel like I am enduring evil, am I patiently enduring it? (2 Timothy 2:24)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Does what I’m about to say line up with the fruits of the Spirit, which are true qualities of a Christian? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Have I become conceited about the conversation I am about to engage in? (Galatians 5:26)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - Will my conversation reflect humility? (Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:12, Proverbs 3:34, Philippians 2:3, Psalm 147:6)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Will I put on a compassionate heart? (Colossians 3:12)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Will I be prideful? (Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 29:23)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - Will my conversation reflect my desire to live in harmony with one another? (Romans 12:16)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Am I hot-tempered in the matter being discussed? (Proverbs 15:18)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - Will my conversation reflect my desire to count others more significant than myself? (Philippians 2:3-11)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Is what I’m about to say out of rivalry or conceit? (Philippians 2:3)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - Will I be complaining or arguing? (Philippians 2:14-15)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - If my conversation involves disputes regarding matters of the church, am I keeping them out of public forums? (1 Corinthians 6:1)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - If my conversation involves people outside of the faith, will I be wise in how I act toward outsiders? (Colossians 4:5)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Will corrupting talk come out of my mouth? (Ephesians 4:29)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - Will my conversation reflect my ambition to lead a quiet life and mind my own business? (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Will my conversation reflect my desire to be a peacemaker and live peaceably with all? (Matthew 5:9, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14, Psalm 34:14, Jude 1:2)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Am I avoiding engaging in foolish controversies? (Titus 3:9)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Will I stir up division? (Titus 3:10)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - Will I stir up conflict in the community? (Proverbs 6:16-19)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - Will my speech be gracious? (Colossians 4:6)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - Will my words reflect my desire to do good to those who hate me? (Luke 6:27)
Yes ↓ No → Don't engage - From what I can foresee, will the conversation I am engaging in cause others to stumble or sin? (1 Corinthians 8:9, Mark 9:42, Romans 14:1, Romans 14:13, Luke 17:1-3)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage - From what I can foresee, is there anything else about this conversation that is unhealthy and might cause me to grieve the Holy Spirit of God? (Ephesians 4:30)
No ↓ Yes → Don't engage
ENGAGE
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About This Site
My name is Ray Majoran; I love God and enjoy inspiring people through photography and writing. I find it impossible to look through the lens of a camera and think to myself, “Wow… that happened by chance!” Have a look around; if you have any questions, shoot me a note! Every morning, I send an email featuring photos that I've taken from around the world, along with a Scripture verse. If you'd like to receive these emails, please feel free to subscribe.
If you were dying and you had one last chance to talk with the people that matter most to you, what would you say? If everything was on the line, and nothing was left on the table, what wisdom would you impart? My name is Ray Majoran, and this book is my last lecture.
unOblivious
Do we see the amazing beauty in the things that God has created, the people He's brought into our lives, the situations He's put us in? Or do we live in a bubble, oblivious to His amazing wonder happening all around us? unOblivious is a 160-page photo-essay that helps answer that question.
