Interpretation Makes all the Difference

It is interesting how people will interpret what we say according to what they thought they heard.

One believer was offended when another believer said this:
"Marriage before sex is not a sin."

 
Why was the first believer offended? Because when someone does not listen closely to what is said, they will interpret the words in terms of how they think and not what was said.

The one who was offended thought the first believer was saying; "sex before marriage is not a sin." But that was not what was said; Read the sentence again and see that it is right!

Here it is again: "Marriage before sex is not a sin."

 
We have all been programmed to interpret things when the same words are in a sentence, to see what we are familiar with. Even though all the words are there in both sentences, they are out of order, but the mind interprets what is said according to what it is familiar with, not what was actually said.

 
This is why it is important to hold our tongues, think with our minds, and ask questions to clarify things. So many misunderstandings come because people refuse to have a conversation. They think just letting the misunderstanding go unchallenged will keep people happy, but ultimately it creates anger and gossip that could be avoided if there is dialogue to shed light on what is expressed.
I am a big fan of rational, reasonable, loving, and kind questions and challenges. I am not a fan of rude, terse responses to make people feel foolish; this does nothing but elevate the rude person in their own mind. It has nothing to do with connecting with someone to learn their heart or understand them.

 
There is nothing more satisfying for two loving people to speak what's on their heart and listen to their friend to gain wisdom about them.

 
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

The one who loves seeks to know their friend, to understand them, and to edify them in the Word. There is no competition present when there is love.