|
December 21
AVOIDING DEBATES
-There are times when debating over doctrine and scripture is profitable, but for the most part it is not. Proverbs
26:21 states, … As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife … The
word “contentious” means: one who creates disagreement or is argumentative. The Bible teaches us to avoid these
types of people and situations. 2nd Timothy 2:23 states, … But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing
that they do gender strifes … Titus 3:9 states, … But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions,
and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain … 1st Corinthians 3:3 states, … For
you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men?
… 2nd Corinthians 12:20 states, … For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would,
and that I shall be found unto you such as you would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings,
swellings, tumults: …
-Unfortunately, there are people who love to debate. Their very purpose is to go about causing strife. The sad
part is that they actually think they are doing something good for the Kingdom of God. This type of debating is not profitable,
for it causes divisions ( denominations ). If the goal of your debating is to prove that you are right, then your debating
is in vain. IT IS BASED ON A WRONG MOTIVE! Someone might ask the question, who is right? The answer is … NO ONE! GOD
ALONE IS RIGHT! ALL WE CAN DO IS DISCOVER ( OR HAVE REVEALED TO US ) THAT WHICH IS RIGHT. When we approach our conversations
with others with this type of attitude ( humility ), we will be much more effective in bringing across whatever aspect of
the Kingdom of God that we are talking about.
-This is not to say that it is wrong to debate or passionately discuss the scriptures, but it must be centered
around a quest for truth. Those who constantly debate just to prove to others that they are right are NOT BEING LED BY THE
LOVE OF GOD! People who have a contentious spirit do much more damage with their words than they do good. A contentious person
also muddies the waters for those who are truly sincere in their efforts to rightly divide the Word of truth. It is much harder
to convince people of the goodness and love of God after they have been turned off to it by IMMATURE Christians who use the
sword of the Spirit ( the Word of God ) to chop people to pieces. LET US GROW UP IN GOD! Before people care what you know,
they want to …
-KNOW THAT YOU CARE!-
|
