Winning Arguments or Winning People

“You must not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor directly, and you will not incur guilt because of him. Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
(Leviticus 19:17-18 HCSB ©®)

“You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
(Matthew 5:43-48 HCSB ©®)

If you are able, in an argument or debate, to grasp what the discussion looks like from the other side of the table, you are able to ask the Spirit of Jesus how to proceed in a way that brings life. You could ask yourself what could change your mind if it were true. You could ask the Spirit if it is true. You could ask the Spirit what would help the other person to see things that are true but don’t look true from the position they have taken. You could ask what to say that would help them.

We are called to bring Truth to people that is anointed and sanctified by the fruit of the Spirit of Truth – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fullness of faith, gentleness, and self-control. Winning arguments is a different calling. That is a skill taught by the Witnesses from the Watchtower Publishing Society in New York.