DEFENDING the FAITH is not ARGUING

The Word tells us to always “be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. (1 Peter 3:15). In other words, we should always be ready to give God’s answers to people. We should defend the faith in love and with conviction. We’re not to be neutral when we know the truth.

But some folks love talking about the Word of God just for the sake of ARGUING. The Word of God is truth and truth is ABSOLUTE. There are no variations to it, nor argumentations about it. Either you receive it or you reject it.

There is a big difference between a genuine question about the Word from someone who wants to understand, and arguments for the sake of debating. Defending the faith is not arguing. Titus 3:9 says,”avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the Word, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”

Paul told Timothy not to waste time with arguers: “Don’t waste your time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people LIVE a life of FAITH in God” (1 Tim 1:4).

Again Paul told Timothy, “warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen” (2 Tim 2:14).

Arguments drag out because one is too stubborn to forgive and the other is too proud to apologize. I like what Wayne Dyer said, “Conflict cannot survive without your participation.”

Some people will sit in Bible studies, and flip scriptures on every side, discuss it from every angle, without any intention of OBEYING them. They just pride themselves in hearing themselves talk about God’s Word. That’s a waste of time. “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (Pro 18:2).

Remember when Jesus came down the mountain after the transfiguration, it says, “When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. (Mark 9:14). The religious always want to talk about God’s Word, but true disciples want to READ it, RECEIVE it, and OBEY it. “Avoid pointless discussions. For people will become more and more ungodly” (2 Tim 2:16).

Pro 13:10 Wisdom is found in those who take advice.