What to do in a situation where two people have different beliefs on what is right and wrong?

The first thing we must do is to make sure we understand what the other person is saying. This will take some questioning and clarifying. Once we understand what they saying, we then need to know why they are saying that, i.e., what reasons do they have for holding to those positions? Then we can discuss amicably and politely the differences. This would include careful listening to each other, valuing each other and speaking without anger or accusations. We can be “soft on the edges but hard (for truth) on the inside.”

A person who disagrees with us is not our enemy, nor are they dishonest or evil just because they have a different view. They are what they are because of their background, upbringing and teaching. We might be the same if we had the same heritage, environment and training. We must be respectful of each other, give each other the benefit of the doubt and treat the other person the way we would like to be treated. Isn’t that what Jesus said in Matthew 7:12: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets”?

We would need to allow each person to explain what he or she believes without interruption and insure that each person has equal time and opportunity to speak. We would need those in disagreement to ask questions of each other, be accountable to answer the other’s questions and honestly face the implications of their beliefs.

We could ask each to read and evaluate articles or books that discuss these differences and then meet to continue the discussions. We would prayerfully seek to discover truth and ask each to accept it as it is uncovered.

We should seek to find the key issues and differences and make those the focus of our discussions.