Not Quarrelsome

[tsth]

by Henry Blackaby

NOT QUARRELSOME

12/1/2004

And the servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.

-- 2 TIMOTHY 2:24

There should be no quarrelsome Christians. The truth of God is within us; we need never be intimidated or frustrated by those who do not accept God's truth. At times people may disagree with you regarding God's Word. Perhaps they question the way you say He is leading you, or they may challenge your faith in God. At times like these it is never helpful to argue. You will never debate anyone into the kingdom of God. You will never persuade someone that God has spoken to you by outarguing them! Only God can convince others of the veracity of His word to you. If you will allow God to vindicate you in His time, and in His way, a time will come when the wisdom of your choice will be evident (Luke 7:35). If you find yourself often quarreling with others, you need to ask God to clearly reveal your motives and to forgive you for your disobedience to His clear command. If your motivation for arguing comes from your desire to be right, or to be exonerated, or to gain the esteem of those listening to you, you are acting selfishly, and God will not honor you. God is not interested in how right you are. He is interested in how obedient you are. God's command is not that you win arguments, but that you are kind and forgiving when others mistreat you. You bring God no honor by winning a dispute in His name, but you reflect a Christlike character when you demonstrate patience to those who mistreat you or misunderstand your motives. Arguing may never win people to your view, but loving them as Christ does will win you many friends over time!

(I thought this is appropriate for any Christian Forum.)

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Leonard]

I've always liked this passage, for Paul had to swallow a lot of pride to write it down; he effectively disqualifies himself from the Pastorate!

[Botz]

Timely. ....but there is also room for strong sound argument and debate when the situation calls for it.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Acts 18:4 And he (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

The import of the Greek seems to favour arguing or contending for the truth in order to persuade people.

We have to do our part and to be diligent in the word of G-d so that we can give an account of the hope that is in us...and leave the Holy Ghost to convince mens hearts from the Gospel of Messiah.

But as the article points out...we need to have pure motives when we speak...and the manner in which we speak will often strengthen or weaken the words that come out of our mouths.

May we all have a Holy Ghost passion for the Gospel and a heart for the lost and a real love for one another.

[tsth]

I agree Botz. I'm a talker, so I'm not against debate! I just don't want to see Debates Gone Bad.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[tsth]

I agree Botz. I'm a talker, so I'm not against debate! I just don't want to see Debates Gone Bad.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Botz]

Amen Suzanne. I think it is particularly difficult when debating on a Forum because of the different characters we all represent...some are really clear and concise...others are intense and single-minded...still others are jocular and friendly etc etc...and we can't always perceive the intent behind the words.....but those of us that are Believers (which is the vast majority) should be able to get on with each other and fellowship in the Holy Spirit.

Personally I would rather lose an argument than cause a brother to stumble...but sometimes we really need to stick to our guns especially when we see one another being buffeted by strange and unhelpful ideas and doctrines...but always to be humble and open-hearted ourselves...because none of us have the monopoly on the diversity of G-ds revealed truths.

[Guest Thomas I believe]

by Henry Blackaby

NOT QUARRELSOME

12/1/2004

And the servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.

-- 2 TIMOTHY 2:24

There should be no quarrelsome Christians. The truth of God is within us; we need never be intimidated or frustrated by those who do not accept God's truth. At times people may disagree with you regarding God's Word. Perhaps they question the way you say He is leading you, or they may challenge your faith in God. At times like these it is never helpful to argue. You will never debate anyone into the kingdom of God. You will never persuade someone that God has spoken to you by outarguing them! Only God can convince others of the veracity of His word to you. If you will allow God to vindicate you in His time, and in His way, a time will come when the wisdom of your choice will be evident (Luke 7:35). If you find yourself often quarreling with others, you need to ask God to clearly reveal your motives and to forgive you for your disobedience to His clear command. If your motivation for arguing comes from your desire to be right, or to be exonerated, or to gain the esteem of those listening to you, you are acting selfishly, and God will not honor you. God is not interested in how right you are. He is interested in how obedient you are. God's command is not that you win arguments, but that you are kind and forgiving when others mistreat you. You bring God no honor by winning a dispute in His name, but you reflect a Christlike character when you demonstrate patience to those who mistreat you or misunderstand your motives. Arguing may never win people to your view, but loving them as Christ does will win you many friends over time!

(I thought this is appropriate for any Christian Forum.)

In His Love,

Suzanne

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Amen Susan, God has patience with us and we need to have patience with others. It is good to have dialogue about topics and to debate them but we must do it a way where we are conveying Love to our fellow christians and unbelievers. To tear someone down and inflict wounds does not gain anyone anything. We must respond to others in a postitive way even if we disagree.

[Anne]

Agreed,

We should not seek out contraversy (arguments), the Word of God is not here for us to use in arguments with one another, it is here so that we might learn/hear God's message and in return share it with others.

We are here to learn of each other, to build each other up in our faith, so that it may show glory to our Heavenly Father.

Your Sister in christ Jesus

Anne