Automatic Transcript Generated:
Speaker 1
So Clavi is asking, what does the Bible say about arguing over Scripture?
Speaker 2
Thank you, Clavie. Yes, great question. Actually, it’s a surprise. Amazingly, a lot now I cover verse a lot of people often quote as to why it’s okay to quibble over Scripture, why you should attack people with Scripture. And all that is, they look at Timothy two, timothy three, starting at verse 16. It says, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for good work. Yeah, this is true. This is right. This is a good starting point for understanding Scripture. Like all scriptures. Good stuff. But that doesn’t mean then you cannot misuse Scripture. It doesn’t mean that you can abuse people with Scripture. That is possible. And as we’re going to look at sometimes what’s in our heart or the way we’re treating people, affecting people with Scripture can be sinful in a way, is distracting us for things that matter that can be sinful. So let’s check out, for example, titus three, starting at verse nine. Titus three, starting at verse nine. It says, but avoid foolish disputes, genealogies contentions, and strivings about the law.
Speaker 2
Right? That’s all biblical stuff. Avoid disputes about these things, foolish disputes about these things, for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject the divisive man after the first and second admonition, showing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self condemned. Ouch. Right. I mean, he cannot be using stronger words here of how we got to be careful not to be getting caught up in divisions and disputes. And this makes sense, right? Because what does God want is people ultimately to be in a state of he wants us to be in a state of love. His law is love. God is love. And disputes, arguments, contentions, all these things tear us apart. They split us apart. And that is the opposite of what love does. Love is connection. God love is bringing us together into relationships, tensions, arguments, fights are counter to that. And which one do you think Satan likes? Which one do you think is more reflective of sin? Sin is separation. Sin is division, the important thing. So it doesn’t mean never, ever debate a Biblical issue. No. Right. No. But what is our mindset? What is it doing to us? What is the fruit being borne by it?
Speaker 2
One Timothy one, three to seven says, as I urge you, when I went into Macedonia’s, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer. Okay, so he says, don’t teach we shouldn’t have people be teaching false doctrines or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work, which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, right? The goal of everything in the Bible, God’s law everything. The goal is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. So let’s go back to this love and be able to speak and preach and live love. This comes or requires a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. And I think there’s a spot on because when I see people preaching and it causes division or causes problems, they’re lacking one or all of these things, they don’t have a pure heart and they might be up there preaching to start a preach to themselves or they don’t have a good conscience, right? So they’re struggling again, preaching things that may make them feel better but it’s not really difficult, it’s not good or yeah, don’t have a sincere faith.
Speaker 2
What does that mean? It means someone might be a hypocrite. Basically they’re a pretender and all of this can be horrible when that person has the power of the pulpit or is out there somehow influencing is a shepherd for Christ. So as it says going on one Timothy one now verse six some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law but they do not know what they’re talking about or what they so confidently affirm. And if you go on basically Paul’s indicating they don’t understand what the law is about, they don’t get it. The law is about love but they want to get caught up into do’s and don’ts and legalism or all these other things and they missed the big point. The point is love. So second Tip 222 flee from also young youthful lust. Pursue righteousness faith. Love peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart 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 if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Speaker 2
Your heart needs to go out to people who are in deception, who are not getting the truth. You shouldn’t be angry at them. You should be feeling sad and feel humble that you have been so fortunate to be able to get the truth and be able to understand it and know maybe that person has a totally different life and a harder experience and they’re in that darkness still and think how much patience God is shown to you and me and us and how much we should then show them. So many verses. So many verses. Clear, right? The point is clear.
Speaker 1
No, I think that’s a really good point you’re pointing out there. I really appreciate that. I think that’s so important that think of how God is so loving and patient with us, and we’re so messed up with him.
Speaker 2
We really spend too much time fighting amongst themselves.
Speaker 1
It breaks my heart. I can’t help but think about this when you look at the Pharisees going back to them, how Jesus says, you missed the point of the law, which was mercy. When I think about when they crucified him, I mean, they crucified the Son of God and they’re like, oh, we murdered. Sure, we don’t break the Sabbath. And I’m like, you just murdered the Son of God, but you’re not going to break the Sabbath. You think in judgment, you’re in right relationship to God. You think you understood what God’s law was all about? Obviously not.
Speaker 2
But Jesus said, you strain out a nap, but you drink a Camel. Exactly.
Speaker 1
It’s like missing the point.
Speaker 2
Yeah. And just think of it. They were always contentious, with Jesus always getting in the way of him trying to do what he wanted to do.
Speaker 1
Yes. So, yeah, let’s seek peace and pursue it.
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