Before we answer negativitity or anti-God speech, we need to ask, what will this exchange produce? Will it be worth it? Does the one who is speaking have an open heart? Can you have a real conversation, give and take, mutual respect and is there a willing to change (in you too)? Or, will it just become a shouting match or; if it is in written form, will it just bring you accusatory emails? Name-calling?
I recently posted a comment on a newspaper article. Even before I clicked on "send" I had a question about it, if I should post.
I posted and realized I shouldn't have. My comments didn't help and didn't help anyone think about the situation. Instead I believe I was accused of being confused and close-minded.
I don't care one way or another about these labels. The people who wrote them don't know me. But my comments didn't help. Actually for the person who wrote these things about me, my thoughts were barbs.
Granted, sometimes we have to share and sometimes what we share will bring some very negative reactions.
But, before we share we need to know we are supposed to share what we intend to share. And then share it in peace, acceptance and God's Spirit of Love.
In the passage I quoted above, Jesus did it perfectly. He talked to the Sadducees who asked Him some questions with no intention of hearing the right answer. They answered believing themselves right and Jesus wrong and misguided. He did answer them. At the end of the chapter Matthew writes, "And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question." Matthew 22:46