ARGUMENTATIVE. Some people just like to argue. Whatever position they take they will argue it. Once they take the position their ego is firmly attached to it and they will argue that point endlessly simply because it is THEIR POSITION. For them its more about EGO than about TRUTH. But since PRIDE is a blinding thing they cant see it. However, they would argue to the death that its all about TRUTH. Its hard to argue with these people because there is no listening. DISCUSSION is different. Discussion actually involves listening and give and take. ARGUMENTATIVE is a one way street. Its all about TALKING - blowing smoke really. There is MUCH instruction in the NT about avoiding foolish disputes and arguments. Often people want to argue about things that have no answer. They like to argue about speculations that they have arrived at. This really is vain and of no profit. Paul says not to listen to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. (1 Tim. 1:4). People love to argue about GENEALOGIES or things that are uncertain. On and on and on they go arguing things that can never be proven. There is no end to it! False teachers are characterized by being obsessed with disputes and arguments over words (cf. 1 Tim. 6:4). Even Christians are prone to fall into this error which is why Paul repeatedly warns us against such saying, But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. (2 Tim. 2:23). There are many things in the Word of God that we should consider carefully with thoughtful discussion. However, ARGUMENTATIVE DEBATE is never really profitable. Tone and spirit make all the difference. The tone should be in love and the spirit should be humble. After all I COULD BE WRONG. We should all earnestly contend for the faith but we must do so in a Christlike way that makes the issue CHRIST and HIS TRUTH and not our own EGO. Unless people are listening there is little point in talking. In order to be saved the MOUTH of people must be stopped (cf. Rom. 3:19). No wonder Jesus repeatedly said, He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (cf. Lk. 8:8). Peter implied that people must be ready to listen or there is no point in sharing when he said, be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks... (1 Pet. 3:15). When they are ASKING they are ready to listen. He who listens best is He who listens to God and that applies to us all. God help us to be good LISTENERS and not ARGUMENTATIVE. God help us to speak in ways that edify and thereby impart grace to the hearer (cf. Eph. 4:29). Proverbs 15:2 (NKJV) 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. Proverbs 26:4–5 (NKJV) 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. 2 Timothy 2:23–26 (NKJV) 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 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. Titus 3:9–11 (NKJV) 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 13:25:43 +0000
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