Know the difference between tolerance and permissiveness.

We make decisions about tolerance and permissiveness every day, and sometimes we confuse the two. When you are tolerant toward others, you are patient with them, even though their opinions or behaviors may differ from yours. You may even be convinced the other person is dead wrong, but you can still tolerate him or her. Permission takes the person into account, but focuses more on the behavior. When you are permissive, you don’t forbid the behavior of another.

So how do you distinguish between the two? Obviously, your permission counts only when you have authority over another person. You would never say, “I’m giving my boss permission to do such and such.” Tolerance, on the other hand, respects and loves others while not necessarily endorsing their behavior. In fact, that characteristic is at the heart of tolerance, and this is what God asks you to do.

Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care?

Romans 2:4