To argue or not. Our country and our world are becoming more divided by the day and more and more, the world blames Christians. As someone who loves a good argument, I tend to believe words can change anything. However, what is needed in our world today are not changed minds but changed hearts. I cannot change hearts, but I know the One who can.
2MefromHim Devotional
To Argue or Not
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. Proverbs 15:18
Everyone has an opinion. In today’s fast-paced, media-driven world it seems that each individual is convinced their idea will save the world. I must confess, I am no different. I have my opinion on the recent rulings of the Supreme Court, the shootings and violence, the presidential candidates, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have fallen into the trap of arguing with someone on Facebook over our differing ideas.
At last one comment proved the opposing party and I differed on a doctrinal issue rather than a moral one. On that basis, I ended her tirade by explaining why would never see eye to eye. Our understanding of scripture was vastly different. I refused to capitulate and so did she. I gave her some scriptures that backed up my beliefs, and suggested she read them. End of discussion.
When it becomes obvious that an argument is brewing, it is imperative to discover the basis of the other party’s beliefs. I had almost forgotten that episode until our pastor preached on “How to Keep Your Tongue Out of a Trap.” What a relief to have a clear basis for avoiding such disagreements in the future.
As a Bible study leader of many years, who writes on many topics, it is a revelation to learn that words do not solve everything. There are some topics where words will never win. The pastor freed me from believing I had to have an answer and gave me a wise alternative.
Using Matthew 22:15-22, our pastor explained some concepts I had never understood before. I want to share a few things I learned with you:
- Your opinion may not always further the kingdom of heaven
- Jesus shared intimate truth with His friends, but didn’t allow His enemies to determine the relationship
- Don’t argue. If you anger your opponents they won’t listen
- Know who the truth is rather than what the truth is
- Don’t satisfy those you disagree by giving a response that furthers their agenda
- Don’t quote scriptures. We have free access in our country. Challenge those who disagree with you to read them for themselves
- God is still in control. We don’t need to fear the world
- Show the world how to get along. Show them unconditional love.
- You lose dignity when you fall into the world’s trap and argue. Our battle is not with flesh and blood.
- Be all about of Jesus. Only He can change hearts
I plan to study these concepts so that I respond with love and respect. No one can challenge my beliefs unless I let them. I can’t change their opinions but God can. If I encourage others to let the scriptures speak for themselves, I can be kind and let God do the talking Himself. He’s better at it anyway.
Thanks to Pastor Dave Row of New Covenant Church of Albuquerque for his insights and wisdom.
By Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, July 11, 2015
About the author:
Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, released in April 2014. She has led weekly women’s Bible studies for 20 years. Her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 39 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
Website: www.normagail.org
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2
Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
16 Comments
Great post! A lot of good advice. I especially like #1 and #6. I once had a ” discussion” with an atheist through email, I was quoting scripture, he quoting Madalyn Murray O’Hair. I stopped communicating with him when he started making fun of my pastor’s hair! I could have used this back then. I enjoyed the post and shared it.
Thank you for commenting and sharing, Mallory! It is so easy to feel we have to defend God and so freeing to realize we only have to pint people to the truth, not convince them. God bless you!
Really enjoyed this. I think #4 and #10 are my favorites. Sounds like it was a great sermon! 🙂
It ministered to me very specifically in areas I struggle with! Thanks for stopping by, Marcie!
Good timely word and lots and lots of great advice – I really like #3 and #10 – sometimes it’s best really just to keep quiet!
Thanks for letting me know, Clare! It helped me to write out the list so that I can hopefully respond without arguing the next time I’m faced with a difficult situation.
working on #10 – keeping my mouth closed and my ears open 😀
Me too!
what would Jesus do? that’s what we should do… 😀
Amen!
Ohhhh… love that you were able to have that message preached to you at such a perfect time, Norma! And I love more, that you were open to allowing it to teach and encourage you toward new ways to approach conflicts.
It’s a harsh terrain of topics out there… and fighters are everywhere. I think the only way we can stick out of all the mess is to offer Love and Grace and Peace. God will do the rest.
Thanks for taking time to comment, Christine! You are so right! We can never be too careful in how we respond to difficult topics. We represent the King!
Cousin Norma,
in my old age, or as some would tell you in my maturity, I have come to realize more and more the meaning of Jesus comment on faith as a little child. It’s all really very simple. We will never change the hearts and minds of anyone by arguing with them, or by trying to achieve victory in a political arena. What Jesus has called us to do is: while loving God with all our hearts, love our neighbor and treat them as ourselves. We don’t argue with ourselves, or try to defeat ourselves in the political arena. what we need to do, simply, is live our lives as Christians following the very simple precepts, then to rely on God to change the world through their observations of how we, as Christians, live.
Amen, Jim! Thanks for your encouragement and prayers!
So good, Norma! We all fall into the argument trap and find out it’s futile time and time again, but I have never seen reasons against argument spelled out like this. I love it! Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
I wish it was mine! Our pastor has helped me so much in this area!