Philippians 2:14-15- Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Boy does Paul ask a lot! Murmuring is complaining and disputing is arguing. Paul says we are suppose to do all things without complaint and argument. I'm not sure about you, but I know I haven't reached that point.
Paul urges us to control ourselves because of our testimony, or our reputation, to those around us. As Christian's we should be different from the world. And one of those differences should be our ability to control our emotions and our tongues.
I Corinthians 1:20- Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Many people go around arguing because they think it makes them look smarter than others. God doesn't need you to show off your wisdom; he needs you to spread the gospel. Do you know what God says about these people?
I Timothy 6:4-5- He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
He says their pride leads to a lot of trouble and warns that you should stay away from them.
Job 6:25-26- How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
Job asks a very good question. What good comes from arguing? The only thing that happens is people become angry, usually say things they shouldn't, and our flesh leaves feeling justified while God's Word is ignored.
Titus 3:1-2- Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
We aren't to be brawlers. We're to be meek and gentle. Christ himself didn't waste much time arguing. He spoke the truth and went on.
What do you think will effect people more? Your wisdom or God's truth? Will hearts be changed by your disputation or by God's Word?
II Timothy 2:23-26- But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Sometimes people ask questions just so they can argue their point. When this happens we should walk away. We need God's wisdom to help those who need to be recued from the devil's grip. How? Thru strife? No! With a gentle, patient meekness. And that's not something the world knows how to deal with.
The world expects you to bow up and argue and defend your point. God wants us to meekly spread His Word.
Proverbs 15:1-2- A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
A soft answer comes from listening to and practicing God's Words. The tongue of the wise is full of scripture and knows when to block, stab, or sheath the sword.
Sometimes you need to block the attack- stop the argument before it starts.
Sometimes you need to use scripture to shut the mouth of fools- not your own wisdom.
And sometimes we need to just sheath our sword and walk away. There's no reason to waste time on a hard head who only wants to prove he's right when there's a soul somewhere searching for the truth.
In all of these scenario's you are side-stepping an argument and spreading God's Word.
Philippians 3:20- For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Our conversation should be scripture. Our thoughts and actions should be those that please our Savior.
