Let’s be honest… we all have engaged in some form of argument, debate, or quarrel…
• Parent/child
• Siblings
• Husband/wife
• Co-workers
• Boss/employee
• Political stances
• Sport rivalries
• Cultural ideologies
• Religious viewpoints
• And most likely which direction the toilet paper should hang on the dispenser…
I believe there are legitimate topics/subjects that ought to be discussed
• Realizing there will always be different perspectives than what each of us holds
• Not everyone is going to agree with our point of view
• Yet, disagreement should not be seen as a form of hatred…
o Just a difference of opinion or different perspectives
Yet, as Christians, I believe we need to wise when it comes to the discussions we engage in.
Let’s listen to what the apostle Paul wrote to his young disciple, Timothy…
2 Timothy 2:22-26
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
First, in the passage, Paul instructs Timothy to flee from, run away from, evil desires of youth
• Passionate lust, longings, and impulses that rise up inside you
• Such as… the desire to be right when arguing with others
However, run toward, pursue, and chase after a different way…
• Righteousness – living rightly and doing right before God and man
• Faith – a life lived in honoring and glorifying God
• Love – unconditional goodwill toward others (not based on “deserve”)
• Peace – respectful treatment of one another within the Church (the Body of Christ)
o And something that seems to be lacking among those getting caught up in foolish arguments and quarrels
While doing this, one ought to avoid and stay away from foolish and stupid arguments
• Gk. Word – moros – where we get English word “moron” = foolish
• Gk. Word – apaideutos – uninstructed and/or ignorant = stupid
• Gk. Word – zetesis – controversial questions, debate, speculation = arguments
For the result of pursuing foolish and stupid arguments is the production of quarrels
• Gk. Word – mache – fights, conflicts, disputes = quarrels
Again, let’s be honest… we are seeing this played out all around us
• The political and cultural wars in this country alone are promoting division on a wide variety of levels…
• Talking heads on our screens talking, talking, talking…
• Based on debate, controversial questions, disputes, meanings about words.
• In recent years we have seen a lot of it and still do…
o Masks (wear them or not)
o Vaccines (get them or not)
o Racism (if you are white you are racist OR systemic racism OR critical race theory)
o OR Racism (if you are a person of color you need assistance; not smart enough)
o Climate (global warming OR climate anxiety is something now)
o Gun control (guns are bad OR guns are good)
o Support the police OR Defund the police
o And the list goes on and on and on and on…
As Christians we need to be wise and discerning about what is going on
• We do live in this world but are not to be “of the world”
• John reminded believers of this in his epistle:
1 John 2:16-17
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 Corinthians 3:3
for you are still controlled by your flesh. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your flesh? Aren’t you living like people of the world?
As followers of Jesus Christ, we must strive to not live according to worldly principles.
• This means we ought to strive to apply godly principles
• This applies to arguing and quarreling as well
Arguments can be avoided by using gentle words (Proverbs 15:1)
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Loving arguments is a sin (Proverbs 17:19)
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
A fool is quick to argue (Proverbs 20:3)
It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Avoid becoming entangled in others’ arguments (Proverbs 26:17)
Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
Avoid arguing with a weak Christian (Romans 14:1)
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.
We should avoid arguments (Philippians 2:14)
Do everything without grumbling or arguing
Arguments between Christians are useless (Titus 3:9)
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
Unfortunately, we see Christians argue with each other about things such as
• Sacraments
• Doctrines
• Denominational differences
Then there is literal false teaching that is misleading for many.
Colossians 2:8
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
Because ultimately… what truly matters is Jesus Christ.
Shave you ever noticed that many people spend their time striving to be right…
• Right about their position
• Right about their perspective
• Right about their feelings
• Right about themselves
Here’s what I know…
• God is Right
o Right in His decisions
o Right in His judgements
o Right in His treatment of humanity
o Right in His holiness
o Right according to His standard
For me…
• I want to be right with God
• And thus strive to aim for that goal
o Falling short at times… but not giving up
So as Paul continues in his message to Timothy…
Servants of the Lord are not to be quarrelsome but
• Kind to everyone (even if you don’t agree with their beliefs, values, and practices)
• Able to teach (but not a bully pulpit to force your beliefs on them but rightly present)
• Not resentful (if they reject what you teach, you can still pray and hope for change)
When dealing with opponents
• There needs to be gentleness in how they are dealt with
Peter touched on this in his letter:
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…
The reason why followers of Jesus Christ ought to behave in this manner
• So that others may come to a knowledge of the Living God
• To be made aware of sin and its devastating power
• That they would repent of their sinful ways
• That they would escape from the snare of the devil
• To reposition their lives from living in darkness to walking in the light
The goal is Jesus: that we walk with Him, represent Him well, and point others to Him
Colossians 3:1-2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
It’s one thing for us to talk about it…
• We also need to live our lives in a way that backs up what we say.
Let’s pray.
