We are family.
Anticipate one another in showing respect. - Romans 12:10
I got in a sort of heated discussion at a Mardi Gras party this past weekend. It wasn’t about religion, although my friends, who are not 
religious, know that I try to be. Apparently I hadn’t realized how dismissive I was coming across in a conversation, and one of my friends got a little miffed. When he pointed out my error, he also decided to get me where it hurts, and said, “So f- your God! Just f- God!”
I was shocked - his remarks seemed to come out of nowhere. I hadn’t realized how imperious my remarks must have sounded to him during our conversation. I looked at him stunned, and quietly apologized, while he continued to point out how arrogant I can sometimes be. I apologized again, and the conversation returned to a more cordial level after someone else made light of the incident.
I have to say, I was surprised, but not offended, in fact, I was rather pleased someone spoke to me like that - I accepted it as a correction. Yes, I really was grieved that blasphemy was involved, yet I understood it was much more my fault than the offender’s - because of my “know it all” attitude… and I became the cause of another person’s sin.
Fathers, do not anger your children. - Ephesians 6:4
Of course I am not my friend’s parent, yet I think the same advice from Ephesians is applicable in friendship. I need to be more considerate of others, even when I disagree with them. While I must be careful to avoid being the cause of another’s sin. St. Paul exhorts us, “love one another with the affection of brothers, anticipate one another in showing respect.” - Romans 12:10.
(Certainly, we are not always the cause of another person’s anger - however, in this case, I was.)
