Thats exactly why I had stated there are other ways to say Truth, that is less offensive to the other, without compromising the truth that needs to be shared.
Remember this too- if God does not expect us to compromise living in and speaking His Word, how then can we, as the world would, allow ourselves to lie or distort things to satisfy another person?
Thats why I stated it takes considering other ways to say things.
Yes, I know, it can be to find out how a person thinks, how they view things, but they are still questions that prompt the other to respond as in answering the question or thought posed.
But still, in all honesty, the person who posed the example in such fashion, does come to a better understanding of the other person or thier way of percieving things thru such. So in essence, they did recieve an answer to the main thought- (spoken in the form of a question) that as you claim, was not asked for an answer.
I do this all the time when teaching Bible studies and Classes, to prompt people to think and then respond how they view such things.
Wether some want to admit it or not, in psychology, that form of sharing things is considered a level of "fishing", coming from Bible College instruction.
In short form, its recieving the real answers we are searching for, even if not posed directly as questions to be answered. The responce or reaction in itself is the answer.
I wholeheartedly disagree with your statement- "leading questions are common in public forums and with confrontational people and those with an agenda."
It seems clear, you have not dealt with alot of people to understand, the majority of questioning people do, is to learn answers to things they do not already know or what or why another thinks as they do.
Only those who consider such things as only for causing strife with others, have experienced enough troubles from such things, for Satan to close thier mind to others Truths about this.
Yes, there can be those only looking for trouble, but we can't let that convince us, those truely looking for answers to questions are also the same. Some are quite sincere in wanting answers.
In dealing with people, this is why God tells us to remember where we started from- unsaved and lost, and now found and saved, to help us be able to understand and feel for those seeking the Truth, but also in dealing with those who look to cause strife.
How are we expected to be able to help lost souls, even those who are angry with us or hate us, if we do not show Christ's Witness to them in exchanges, so they realize we are not hurt and vengful like them.
I think it best for us all to be reminded as well, the battle is not of the flesh, but of the Spirit. When others are thinking and operating in less than Christ'like manner, we are seeing an influence of Satan over them to do that.
If Jesus can hang on the cross and ask the Father to forgive those who cried out for His crucifixtion, and we are to love Christ, then should we not demonstrate love back to those who come across as against us, or for thier own purposes?
God will speak thru us to others, by the Holy Spirit, if we seek His help and words to say. But, know as well, I have no control over what others may think or believe about what I share. Thats between them and God.
God teaches us to be peacemakers, not trouble makers. So, when Christ declared we were to agree quickly with our enemy, we can't hardly go along with beliefs they hold that are against God.
Rather, to "agree quickly", is to speak meekly, nonoffensive, in love and compassion, the Truth. I do not sit there and figure out for myself how to speak with people. I pray to God to give me the words and attitude etc to best fit an exchange with someone.
God Bless!!