Restraint
“Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 1:9). The archangel Michael showed this restraint (Zec 3:2) even though he was dealing with the devil himself…St. Michael the Archangel would not dispute with the devil over the body of Moses, but said, “The Lord rebuke you” (Jude 9). Even more astoundingly, Jesus Christ (the Lord) says, “The Lord rebukes you.” This is fulfilled in the temptation of Christ, when He relies upon the written word of Holy Scripture rather than His own power as Son of God to rebuke Satan and resist temptation (Mt 4:1–11; Mk 1:12, 13; Lk 4:1–13).” (Orthodox Study Bible, Jude 1:9, Zechariah 3:2)
“Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2). Reasoned (Gr. dialegomai) does not mean engaging in rational debate, for the proclamation of the Gospel is not about winning intellectual arguments. Rather, this term indicates speaking or conversing about truths, ideas, or things that have been witnessed The English word “dialogue” comes from the same root.” (Orthodox Study Bible, Acts 17:2-3)
“When tempted by the devil in the Garden, Adam and Eve fell prey to their own reasoning after engaging in dialogue with him. In contrast, when tempted by the devil in the wilderness, Jesus showed restraint and did not engage in dialogue. Instead, being in the Spirit and one with His Father, He quoted Scripture to rebuke the devil. This is the example we need to look to and seek to attain; where through our prayer life and sacramental life the Scriptures are alive in us by the Holy Spirit and during temptation or confrontation we do not become victims of our own reasoning.” (Kevin Scherer, Sacramental Living Ministries)
“Only when we grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit will we receive sure, quiet confidence from Him. Only then may we hope to respond correctly to His leading and His restraint. With time, we can learn to know if a caution comes from God, or from other sources.” (Dynamis 6/30/2018)
"Today this wisdom of St. Paul [Acts 17:22-23] reminds me first and foremost to note the good in those who disagree with me (in matters great or small), before engaging in dialogue with them. Because if my heart is closed to those with whom I’m speaking, then their hearts will –naturally – be closed to mine." (Sr. Dr. Vassa Larin)