by Doreen Kajulu | 28 December 2019 08:46 pm12
Shalom.
Welcome — let’s study the Bible together.
The Word of God says in 1 Timothy 6:20 (NKJV):
“O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.”
One of the things that can damage a person’s faith, destroy a believer, or weaken a ministry is religious rivalry. Any form of religious competition ultimately has its roots in the enemy.
Often, the source of this rivalry is knowledge. When someone knows something and feels that others do not know it — or believes others are not doing things correctly — that knowledge can easily produce pride. And pride gives birth to boasting, which eventually leads to competition.
As the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 8:1 (NKJV):
“We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”
Some of the religious controversies we see today include:
There are many others, but these are among the most common. You’ll often find people arguing from morning until evening, each determined to prove they are right and more knowledgeable than the other.
But if you look at the outcome of these debates, they usually end in quarrels, insults, mockery, bitterness, anger, or even broken relationships. The arguments rarely end permanently. They may quiet down for a few hours or days, but then they resume again — each side having gathered new points to continue the battle.
And yet, in all those heated exchanges, how often do you see genuine repentance? How often does someone say, “Thank You, Lord, for opening my eyes”? Rarely do such discussions produce joy, love, or peace.
If the fruit of the Spirit is absent, how can the conversation be from God? Scripture teaches us that anger, hatred, jealousy, insults, and strife are not the work of the Spirit.
The Bible repeatedly warns us to avoid such disputes.
2 Timothy 2:14 (NKJV) says:
“Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.”
Suppose you believe you understand a biblical truth and want to share it with someone. But as soon as you begin, they respond with hostility and argument. What should you do?
The answer is wisdom and humility.
When someone refuses to listen and immediately turns the conversation into a contest, you must remain gentle. Humility disarms hostility. Very few people can continue attacking someone who responds calmly and respectfully.
Explain the truth patiently and clearly. If they insult you, remain silent. If they raise their voice, stay composed. When there is no reaction to fuel the fire, the argument often loses momentum. Over time, they may begin to listen. Even if they don’t agree immediately, they will recognize that you came to teach — not to compete.
As 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV) instructs:
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
The moment we begin trying to prove we are superior, trading insults for insults, or firing verses back and forth like weapons, we ignite the fire of rivalry — and peace becomes impossible. Even if what we say contains truth, it will not be received.
The Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV):
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”
God does not dwell in chaos and strife. The Holy Spirit works where there is peace, order, and humility.
Sometimes there are individuals whose purpose is not to learn but to provoke. They may start discussions simply to stir controversy and damage someone’s reputation. Their goal is to draw you into conflict so that others see you as argumentative or unkind.
If you respond gently and they persist in foolish arguments, Scripture gives clear guidance.
Titus 3:9 (NKJV) says:
“But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.”
We are not obligated to engage in endless debates. Walking away from a fruitless argument is not weakness — it is obedience.
As 2 Timothy 2:23–26 (NKJV) teaches:
“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.”
May the Lord help us to live out these truths.
May the Lord bless you.
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