The Bible specifically advises us to avoid arguments. Over and over we are cautioned that they
cause strife and are unprofitable and so should be left alone. However, this becomes quite difficult when we
are also supposed to proclaim the truth to all and are required to defend the
faith! Added to that, there is often a
pride and/or defense mechanism within us that wants to “win the argument,” or “prove
the point.” So it is often very
difficult to humble oneself in the face of opposition and to let the issue
go. But it is required.
Yes, we are to proclaim the truth. Boldly, without shame or fear, knowing that
it is the absolute infallible Word of God and that all men will be judged by
it. Regardless of opposition or hatred
against it, it must be spoken.
Especially since it is the very proclamation of the truth that will save
men's souls if they are to be saved at all!
But the Bible gives us much wisdom in letting it go when met with
resistance. And I think it is for our
benefit! We often can “wear ourselves
out” disputing for the truth and trying to persuade men in our own power. We get agitated, frustrated, saddened,
angered, and prideful. And we tend to
argue until one party is exhausted and gives up. But what error! That person hasn’t been persuaded to the
truth, they just got tired of arguing or ran out of arguments! Wisdom and understanding are granted by God,
not argued into existence. And so we
must learn these facts from the Bible.
Consider the following verses:
Proverbs 14:7 “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when
thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.”
When you are discussing an issue with a person, and you can
perceive that they have no interest in learning, but instead have dug in their
heels and are just looking to debate, we are supposed to go from the presence
of that person. Depart from the
conversation. That individual has no
interest in what is true, but is only trying to promote and argue for their own
opinions (Pro. 18:2). There is little
hope that you will be able to persuade them of your position. So as soon as you have made statements of
Biblical truth and they are resisted with stubbornness and close-mindedness,
you know that this is an opportunity to wash your hands of the situation. There is no need to proceed, and in fact,
this verse commands us to leave off from the situation.
Contrawise, we should strive to avoid this in
ourselves. To be open to facts and truth
(Scripturally). Granted, we don’t just
accept opinions of others, but if a person is speaking Scripturally and has
verses to back it up, we ought to remain open and teachable. Truth, not our opinions, should be the
ultimate goal. And so we need to keep
open ears and humble hearts, ready to receive Biblical instruction and
correction (Through the Word).
Titus 3:9-10 “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies,
and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and
vain.10 A man that is an heretick after the first and
second admonition reject;”
These two verses, although simultaneous, could be viewed as
separate entities. In verse 9, we are
cautioned to avoid several particular issues.
Number one, foolish questions.
When a person is asking questions under the pretense of learning, but
you perceive that these are ‘foolish’ questions simply being asked to cause
controversy and argument, you should avoid them. Don’t engage in that. A person asking mocking questions or “set up”
questions is disingenuous and has no intention of reasonable dialogue. Look at how Jesus often bypassed the foolish
and contentious questions of the scribes and Pharisees, and instead directed
His conversation to the heart. We too
should avoid foolish questions. And the
same goes for arguments and disputes. A
person who is looking to argue has no interest in learning. Those kinds of conversations should be
avoided for two reasons. One they are
unprofitable. They’re not going to lead
to anything. There won’t be any “fruit”
in it. And two, it’s vain, or
empty. Worthless, pointless. A waste of time and energy.
Verse 10 specifies a particular kind of debater. A ‘heretick.’ A heretic is a factious or
divisive person who follows after false teaching. If someone attempts to divide you from the
real doctrine of the Bible and it’s promoters, you warn that person twice. But if they have not repented and turned from
their false teaching, we are to reject them.
To turn from them and disassociate with them.
Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which
cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;
and avoid them.”
Romans here reiterates the statement made in Titus
3:10. Those who speak against the common
faith, the pure doctrine of the Bible, are to be avoided! And Paul is beseeching us! One definition of beseech is to “beg.” To plead.
He is compassionately warning us and pleading with us, to ‘mark’ (be
aware of; make note of) divisive and offensive men/women who speak against the
doctrines of the Bible! He is pleading
with us to AVOID these people. We ought
to heed his warning.
2nd Timothy 2:23-25 “But foolish and unlearned
questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.24 And
the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to
teach, patient,25 In meekness instructing those that
oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth;”
If we are in dialogue with a person, and they present a
question that is off topic and foolish, it should be avoided. The person obviously has an agenda they are
trying to drive at, and it would be unprofitable to continue down that
road. The same with unlearned
questions. I’ve always associated this
with “foolish.” That is, the person is
asking a question that reveals their ignorance.
However, recently I’ve been looking at that from a different perspective,
that of my own “unlearnedness.” Sometimes
we speak on topics we have little to no knowledge of. We answer questions we have no reason
answering. If we do not know a thing,
wisdom says to be quiet. If you are in
dialogue with someone and they ask a question you don’t know the answer to,
rather than fumbling through a pseudo-answer, tell them you don’t know and move
onto things you DO know.
The main crux of verses 24 and 25 (at least as far as I
can perceive), is that of peacableness.
Gentleness and humility.
Meekness. We are to strive to
avoid pride in ourselves, remaining lowly.
It does no good to try to exalt our own intelligence and draw attention
to self. We must remain humble and
prayerfully seek that those we speak with come to truth.
Conclusion:
Yes, we are called upon to preach the Gospel to all
creatures (Mark 16:15), in season and out of season (2nd Timothy4:2). And we are to expose the unfruitful
works of darkness (Eph. 5:11) and plead with men to be reconciled to God (2ndCor. 5:20). And within the Body, we are
to strive for unity in mind (Phi. 2:2; 1st Peter 3:8), and we are to
exhort and correct one another (Heb. 3:13; Col. 3:16). But we must have the foresight and wisdom to
see when it is unprofitable!
We must remain peaceable and humble. Meek and gentle. And when we perceive that anger is building,
that strife is on the verge of striking, we must leave off of our
conversation. We MUST humble ourselves,
be willing to “loose the argument” and look silly for the sake of peace. We must set aside our egos that want to win
the debate, and strive for unity. Now
that is mainly within the Body, but when speaking with those without, we must
also remain peaceable. When we see that
a person is argumentative and has no desire to learn truth, but is rather
seeking to argue their point, we must let the issue go. And when we find a heretic, opposed to the
fundamental principles of the Gospel, we must avoid their division and offense
after seeing that they are not open to correction (warn them twice!).
If we have spoken truth, and it is not being received,
continuing on in debate will profit nothing.
God grants understanding, and we must be willing to see that the door is
not yet open. And so we should leave off
the “power” of our persuasion and turn to prayer.
