Daily Devotional – Wednesday, August 10, 2022
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
2 Timothy 2:23 (NKJV)
Political arguments often degenerate into name-calling, open conflict and long-term conflicts. Religious arguments can take a similar trajectory. Difference in interpreting a Bible verse or doctrine can result in personal attacks and deep schisms.
Where the Spirit of God is not in control, professed Christians degenerate into carnal beings. They tear into one another as fellow believers and Non-Christians watch in amazement. As the angels of God look away in shame, Satan and his demons rejoice and clap.
Avoid Foolish and Ignorant Disputes
Paul warned Timothy, against such scenarios. The apostle wrote, “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” (2 Timothy 2:23).
Paul had situations such as the following in mind: “For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.” (Acts 17:21).
Paul, therefore, counseled Timothy, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:24-25).
Called to Win Souls, not Foolish Arguments
Like Timothy, we must remember that God called us to win souls, not purposeless arguments. With gentleness and humility, we should correct those with doctrines that do not conform to the Bible.
Peter echoes Paul’s counsel when he writes, “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15).
Today, decide to avoid foolish arguments that generate strife.
Prayer
Teach me how to avoid foolish and ignorant disputes that destroy my relationships with the souls I should be winning for you.
Amen Mr Maina. Just a small testimony.. somewhere last week there was a conversation amongst my colleagues about whether it’s right for a Christian to listen to secular music. Of course there were arguments here and there and because of it I decided not to say anything, I wanted to get to know their PoVs. In the process one of them realised I wasn’t saying anything and he gave a direct question to me. When I was done answering their was a slight silence before one started speaking saying that he’s had a question that no one has ever been able to answer and it was about baptism.. to cut the long story short, I gained a listening ear from them not by joining in the ‘disagreed’ convo but by practicing a humble teachable spirit
Wow! Glory be to God. When you listen more and speak less, people respect you want to hear your opinion. That way, you add value instead of fuel to a discussion. Thank you for allowing God to use you, Hans.