Be Alert to the Importance of Commendation

Tactfully Giving Commendation

The apostle Paul showed the part tact plays in commending others, For example,while preaching in Athens on his second missionary journey, he defended Christianity before some Greek Philosophers.  Note how he tactfully handled this difficult assignment.  "Certain ones of both the Epicurean and the Stoic philosophers took to conversing with him controversially, and some would say:  'What is it this chatterer would like to tell?'  others;  'He seems to be a publisher of foreign deities.' "  (Acts 17:18) Despite such remarks, Paul maintained his composure and responded:  "Men of Athens, I behold that in all things you seem to be more given to the fear of the deities than others are."  Rather than condemn their idolatry, Paul commended them for being religiously devout. -Acts 17:22.

Was Paul being hypocritical?  Not at all.  He knew better than to judge his listeners; he was well-aware that he himself was once ignorant of the truth.  His commission was to present God's message, not to judge others.  He knew from experience what many of Jehovah's Witnesses today have found:  Some sincere defenders of false religion eventually come to be among the strongest defenders of true religion.

Paul's approach was good, and it brought fine results.  "Some men joined themselves to him and became believers, among whom also were Dionysius, a judge of the court of the Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris, and others beside them."  (Acts 17:34) How wise Paul was to commend the Athenians for their sincere beliefs-even  though false-rather than condemn them for their lace of accurate knowledge!  People are misdirected by faulty information  often have good hearts.

When called upon to make a defense before Herod Agrippa II, Paul also used a tactful approach.  Herod was known to be carrying on an incestuous relationship with his sister Bernice, something clearly condemned by God's Word.  Nevertheless, Paul spoke no words of condemnation.  Rather he found a legitimate basis  for commending Herod.  "Concerning all the things of which I am accused by Jews, King Agrippa, I count myself happy that it is before you I am to make my defense this day, especially as you are expert on all the customs as well as the controversies among Jews." -Acts 26:1-3.

How wise it would be for us to use a similar tactful approach when we deal with others!  Commending a neighbor, a fellow student, or a workmate can promote peaceful relations that heart and encourage good behavior.  By reaching the heart through well-deserved commendation, we may at times be able to motivate sincere individuals to replace their false reasonings and actions with those more in line with accurate knowledge.

Next time: Jesus' Perfect Example of Offering Commendation

Watchtower, 2007