Recently I was asked if I thought our world was becoming more argumentative.

Although I don’t have any hard data on the issue, it does often seem to be the case.

[If you want my full response to the question you can click on the link below.]

What I can say is that:
-we are in a time of information overload
-the information and news we receive is often presented as point/counter-point in a combative way
-the internet, social media, and our ability to instantly and broadly respond to comments,  preys on our weaker selves and takes away the wisdom of sober second thought
-a global pandemic has ensured that not many of us are at our best
-our society seems to be losing the ability to think deeply and actually respect differences without descending into polarization and name-calling

Whew, what a situation! 

But when it comes to the argumentativeness we often encounter, our first reaction isn’t always our best response. That’s a good point to remember, as is James 1:19-20: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

It’s helpful to remember who we are and who we are called to be. Instead of engaging with the insanity, we can listen, be slow to speak, slow to become angry, and respond in a way which honours God.

Your first reaction isn’t always your best response.

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Notes:

–My full answer to the question about the argumentativeness of our society is found here as an episode of The Pulse Podcast. You can also find it wherever you subscribe to podcasts: iTunes (Apple), Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or TuneIn.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.