From Western South Dakota
Where the Prairie Meets the Badlands of Western South Dakota


Trails on the Edge - Sheep Mountain Table



July 17, 2011
Paul's Manner of Life
Part XIV

How TO Answer & How NOT to Answer!

General Outline of verses used in audio sermon


Are you tired of the persecutions, rejections, arguments, the 'hate' you receive ... and all you are trying to do is live to serve and please God by following Paul's 'ways' and making those changes in your life - or at least trying... - as the Scriptures tell us to do?

Maybe we have been sincere in our trying to do Paul's ways
but NOT IN HIS 'MANNER' OF DOING THOSE WAYS?



Let's consider these things as we learn to live Paul's ways - the ways taught to us by the Risen Saviour.  Without considering these things listed below, we may be doing more damage to our 'listeners' than we realize.
For meat destroy not the work of God.
All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Romans 14:20

Paul's Manner of Life to Us
Review:
How TO Answer & How NOT to Answer

The way WE want to answer some folks is not always the way the Lord
would have us answer folks and their questions.

Here are the many verses we looked at concerning how we 'answer' others.

Paul was happy for the opportunity to answer:
Acts 26:1+
Answer with grace but with some truth as well!
Colossians 4:6
They examine you - answer them!
I Corinthians 9:3
Answer them that judge you by appearance
II Corinthians 5:12

Paul on STRIFE:

Romans 13:13: Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

I Corinthians 3:3: For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

II Corinthians 12:20: For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

Galatians 5:20: Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Philippians 2:3: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

I Timothy 6:4: He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

II Timothy 2:23: But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

Don't get angry
Proverbs 14:17
Don't be too quick to try to answer
Proverbs 25:8
Don't stay too long
Proverbs 25:17
To those who are 'wise' in this world
I Corinthians 3:18
Don't destroy the work of God with your meat
Romans 14:20

More:

Proverbs:  ANSWER
15:1: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

15:23: A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

15:28: The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

16:1: The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.  (KJB today)

18:13: He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
25:8: Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

18:23: The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

22:21: That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
What a great phrase!  The certainty of the words of truth!

24:26: Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

26:4: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

26:5: Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

27:11: My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

27:19: As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

Poverbs: STRIFE
15:18: A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

16:28: A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

17:1: Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

17:14: The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

20:3: It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
Are you meddling or being honest and trying to say and do the right thing according to Paul's teachings, etc.?

22:10: Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

26:17: He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

26:20: Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

26:21: As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

28:25: He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.  (KJB)

29:22: An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

30:33: Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
Don't be surprised at what you may have caused with your answer!

3:30: Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.



M Paulson
Kadoka, South Dakota