We often enter conversations carelessly and find ourselves in an argument rather than a real conversation. For extremely controversial topics, such as abortion, conversation is possible—if we remember to speak to others like Jesus would to us.

I’ve recently heard someone say that if you love someone, you won’t lie to them. Speaking to someone with the love of Christ is not to approve their sin; it is to bring them into the light of truth. He never approved of the women at the well’s lifestyle, but He did love her and bring her hope.  

We don’t all need to be trained sidewalk counselors to spread the truth that life is good. Without going deep into details about each and every aspect of abortion being wrong, we can be firm and gentle as we love others by speaking truth thoughtfully.

Engage in honest conversation with your friends, neighbors, family members, or complete strangers, keeping in mind the following realities.

20 Things To Remember When Having A Conversation About Abortion

1.      You might be speaking to someone who has had an abortion or might be thinking of one.

2.      You might be speaking to someone who wishes they were never born.

3.      You might be speaking with someone who thinks another’s life was ruined by unplanned pregnancy, either as the child or the parent.

4.      You might be speaking with a parent who lost a grandchild.

5.      You might be speaking to someone who has suffered abuse from parents, even to the point of wishing he or she was never born.

6.      You might be speaking with an abortion survivor.

7.      You might be speaking with a foster care child who was never adopted.

8.      You might be speaking with someone who works with troubled youth and sees the horrors you’d never imagine.

9.      You might be speaking with someone who has spent their life’s work supporting abortion as a worker or charity or political activist, likely assuming they are helping those in need.

10.   You might be speaking with someone who left the Church over the issue.

11.   You might be speaking with a father who never held his child.

12.   You might be speaking with someone who has never considered non-religious reasons for opposing legal abortion.

13.   You might be speaking with someone who carries a gene they view as unwanted.

14.   You might be speaking with someone who is so ill or knows someone who is so ill they believe that intentional death is the only or best right answer.

15.   You might be speaking with someone who wants to avoid all confrontation, even if it means life or death.

16.   You might be speaking with someone who considers him or herself a good person for not personally agreeing with abortion but thinking it’s an issue relative to each person.  

17.   You might be speaking with someone dealing with trauma or issues that leave them with a damaged perspective of the world, affecting their views on abortion and unwed motherhood.

18.   You might be speaking with someone who is just like you. Or someone who agrees with you with aggressive enthusiasm.

19.   You might be speaking around a bunch of eavesdroppers who would be influenced by your words and conduct.

20.   You might be speaking truth from the Holy Spirit that you need to hear yourself.

Treat who you speak to like a real individual through considerations like these. That way you have the best chance of doing good with your words—rather than carelessly harming another and pushing them away from the truth.

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