THURSDAY June 19, 2025
Avoid Disputes and Strife
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 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...
2 Timothy 2:23-25
Once again, Paul the Apostle addressed the issue of strife. In verse 14, he had mentioned: ...not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. This time, he told Timothy to avoid foolish and ignorant disputes. Why? They generate so much strife.
Please, do not argue with people. If they begin to argue or speak things that are not edifying to your faith in Christ, politely leave, walk away from them. They usually know what they are doing, they are trying to destroy your faith by pulling you into arguments about doctrine or other differences within church denominations.
Usually people who like to argue, do not want to listen to what you have to say from the Scriptures. They are only fixed on their point of view, so really, it is useless to carry on an argument with them. If you continue to debate, someone may get angry, and there is a danger that you will say something in anger that you did not intend to say.
Paul gave wise advice, instead of escalating strife, he gave a course of action on how we should act in such cases. There should be no quarreling, but if they are willing to listen, you could teach them from the Scriptures with a spirit of gentleness, patience and sincere humility. It is pride that causes strife: By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom (Proverbs 13:10).
Hopefully, those in opposition are open to being corrected. Open up the Bible and let the person see for themselves what is taught in the Bible. Let the Scriptures do the convincing. I love that.
God's Word is true whether we believe it or not. Human unbelief cannot alter the character of God.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
