Why Christians should NOT argue with NONbelievers.

[ObeyGODCommandments]

Read Matthew 12:15-21
God’s Chosen Servant:

(Matthew 12:15-21) Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he leads justice to victory.
In his name the nations will put their hope."

According to verse (John 12:47-50) when Jesus was on earth, Jesus said, “As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

If Jesus did not judge those who rejected the gospel, than we should not judge those who rejected the gospel too.

According to verse Matthew 10, Mark 6, and Luke 10 Jesus has sent out his 12 disciples/sent out the Seventy-two and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits, to heal every disease/sickness, and to preach the word. Jesus did not call them to quarrel with unbelievers or judge those who didn't accept the gospel according to Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11, and Luke 10:11.

Jesus said to them, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet and leave."

VERSE LUKE 10:16 SAYS:
(Luke 10:16) “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

VERSE MATTHEW 7:6 SAYS:
(Matthew 7:6) “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

That is exactly what is happening today with those (i.e., immoral believers) who cause strife with unbelievers who refuse to accept the gospel according to Jude 1:14-16. One person provides truth, and what is the result? Another tramples it which is sacred and then turns around and tears that person to pieces. Verses Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 2, Romans 14/Romans 14:10, James 3, and Romans 12:17-21 makes it clear that we should not lead/judge/curse a blind man. If we do, we are only jeopardizing ourselves. No one can make someone believe or make someone have faith, it's impossible. They have to either accept the truth or not.
So the saying is, we should not judge those outside the church (meaning that we should not judge unbelievers) according to verse 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. However, If we have removed the pluck out of our own eye (a.k.a. being free from sin), than we should have the right as servants of God to judge those inside the church only. Outside the church means, "not believers in Christ" and inside the church means, "believers in Christ."

VERSE 1 TIMOTHY 6:3-5 SAYS:
(1 Timothy 6:3-5) If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
To learn more about this issue, read "The Sin and Doom of Godless Men" (Jude 1:3-16), read "False Teachers and Their Destruction" (2 Peter 2), read "Warning Against False Teachers of the Law" (1 Timothy 1:3-11), read Matthew 23 and Jude 1:4.
Also read these warning verses such as 1 Timothy 4, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Jude 1, 2 Timothy 3:1-9 and Romans 1:18-32.

THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WHEN YOU SEE A BROTHER (A.K.A. A TRUE BELIEVER) QUARRELING ABOUT WORDS:
(2 Timothy 2:14-19/23-26) Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

(Titus 3:9-11) But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

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What we MUST do if we see a believer going astray and if we see a believer that we know sinning:

(Leviticus 19:17) “‘Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.

(Luke 17:3-4) So watch yourselves.
“If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

(James 5:16) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

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FROM THE BOOK OF PROVERBS:
(Proverbs 9:8) Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
(Proverbs 23:9) Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
(Proverbs 26:4) Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.
(Proverbs 17:19) He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.
(Proverbs 20:3) It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
(Proverbs 17:14) Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
(Proverbs 15:18) A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

 

[HEsTiLLALiVe]

Such Awesome Truth from THE TRUTH. That's why HE told the disciples whatever town you are not received in, shake the dust off your feet. You be blessed beloved and shalom

 

[sedg]

That's a very good study you've put together. Thank you

 

[ObeyGODCommandments]

That's a very good study you've put together. Thank you

Thanks and you're welcome.

 

[ObeyGODCommandments]

Such Awesome Truth from THE TRUTH. That's why HE told the disciples whatever town you are not received in, shake the dust off your feet. You be blessed beloved and shalom

I agree, it is an awesome truth in which I take very serious. You be blessed too.

 

[Norah63]

Yes that is a very valuable list of scriptures. We would do well to read often.
Sometimes these forums can go astray, and personality's take over more than the word.

 

[look4hope]

 

[WannaWitness]

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18

 

[HoluCallouse]

WOW,I find great topic in this forum.

 

[JumpIntoInfinity]

This may seem like a silly question, but aren't we as Christians meant to preach the word of God? Won't this inevitably lead to arguments?

 

[WannaWitness]

This may seem like a silly question, but aren't we as Christians meant to preach the word of God? Won't this inevitably lead to arguments?

Yes we are, but there also comes a time to shake the dust off our feet and move on when we can see that a certain person (or people) to whom we are trying to minister won't listen. See Matthew 10:14.

However, this doesn't mean that our witnessing won't ever be effective, and sometimes, if we happen to be at the right place at the right time, who knows what might happen?

As for the people who will not listen, this doesn't mean that there isn't a chance that sometime down the road that a few of these people may have something hit them, then, with conviction setting in, they, too, will come to accept the truth of the salvation of Jesus. It has been known to happen, and sometimes some of the unlikeliest of people have a major testimony about how Jesus had changed their lives.

Our business is to plant the seed, pray for the people, and trust the Lord to do the watering.

Hope this answers your question.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Originally Posted by JumpIntoInfinity This may seem like a silly question, but aren't we as Christians meant to preach the word of God? Won't this inevitably lead to arguments?

Yes we are, but there also comes a time to shake the dust off our feet and move on when we can see that a certain person (or people) to whom we are trying to minister won't listen. See Matthew 10:14.

However, this doesn't mean that our witnessing won't ever be effective, and sometimes, if we happen to be at the right place at the right time, who knows what might happen?

As for the people who will not listen, this doesn't mean that there isn't a chance that sometime down the road that a few of these people may have something hit them, then, with conviction setting in, they, too, will come to accept the truth of the salvation of Jesus. It has been known to happen, and sometimes some of the unlikeliest of people have a major testimony about how Jesus had changed their lives.

Our business is to plant the seed, pray for the people, and trust the Lord to do the watering.

Hope this answers your question.

Excellent

1 Corinthians 5:10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.
In that case you would have to leave this world.

 

[thesunisout]

The best way to witness is not to tear down anothers belief system but to lift up Christ. The most effective witness comes when we share the gospel, because faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. You can talk about evidence all day long but if you never mention Jesus or the gospel you have wasted your time. We know that sharing the gospel is never a waste because Gods word never returns to Him void. We also know that God is pleased with us for sharing the gospel, whether someone receives it or not. If they do not receive it, we have still done Gods will. We cannot save anyone; only God can change someones heart. It is the work of the Holy Spirit, therefore we need to be led by the Spirit when we are witnessing (and in all things). If someone will not receive you, move on; there are many other people out there who need to hear the word of God.

 

[hopeinGod]

It is my belief that arguments pursue when we don't have answers, especially to the most common naysaying. I find apologetics to be full of useful information made to be used in discussions with unbelievers. For we have more than just the Scriptures to speak to the unknowing and unlearned. Metaphors, analogies, parables and the like are what Jesus used, and we can too, only if we are willing to study and apply them to those who question us. Oftentimes, when Jesus was bombarded with questions, He answered with a question, which can also be very appropriate at times.

The whole discipline of being a witness goes so much deeper than the quoting of a passage to an individual. As I see it, it is one of the great failings of the church in decades past that we had not given ourselves to the study and absorption of writings by such apologists as G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis and today's Ravi Zacharias.

I wonder, had I given up, just where would my friend George be today. For two years, I walked into his head shop located on the beach where I developed a friendship with him, a hippie who liked his dope and lived a laid back life.
His was one of the most exciting conversions of my Christian life.

Located near the boardwalk was his shop where tokers could purchase bongs, rolling papers, etc. On my frequent walks, I routinely dropped by the store to talk. In time, we became good friends. He always had a bar stool sitting near his checkout counter, where I would sit, and we'd talk about lots of things.

On some occasions, we strongly disagreed on various topics. Had I taken those incidences as a reason to quit sharing the Lord, who knows where George might be today?

One day out of the blue, he asked, "You know the stuff you've been sharing with me over the years?"

I replied, "No George, what are you talking about?"

"You know, about Jesus."

"Yea, what about it?"

"I wanna do it."

"You mean you want to repent and give your life to the Lord, George?" I asked.

"Yea."

"When?"

"Right now...." And so we got down on our knees while I led George in the sinner's prayer.

Within a couple of months, George sold his business, applied for entrance into a California seminary and was accepted. He later graduated and became a missionary in South America.

David

 

[brodav9]

2Cor. 12:20 He is hoping there won't be debating there. Along with the other things that tare down the church. Non believers are won by love. 1Jn. 4:7-8

 

[Norah63]

And a lot of the debating or what some might think arguing, is between believers.
Many at different stages of their christian walk. This also must be spirit led.
As sunisout says we don't tear down a persons faith, just lift Jesus up.
Nice testimony HopeinGod, and yes wonderful teachers like Ravi Zacharias help me a lot in my understanding of the deeper ways to wittness.

 

[Tnmusicman]

Excellent

1 Corinthians 5:10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.
In that case you would have to leave this world.

Pardon for saying but I've seen a lot of your posts and it seems more like you are a Christian rather than Christian seeking. Would that be fair?
Also I checked out the chapel flock. I love the mission statement!!

 

[Tnmusicman]

It is my belief that arguments pursue when we don't have answers, especially to the most common naysaying. I find apologetics to be full of useful information made to be used in discussions with unbelievers. For we have more than just the Scriptures to speak to the unknowing and unlearned. Metaphors, analogies, parables and the like are what Jesus used, and we can too, only if we are willing to study and apply them to those who question us. Oftentimes, when Jesus was bombarded with questions, He answered with a question, which can also be very appropriate at times.

The whole discipline of being a witness goes so much deeper than the quoting of a passage to an individual. As I see it, it is one of the great failings of the church in decades past that we had not given ourselves to the study and absorption of writings by such apologists as G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis and today's Ravi Zacharias.

I wonder, had I given up, just where would my friend George be today. For two years, I walked into his head shop located on the beach where I developed a friendship with him, a hippie who liked his dope and lived a laid back life.
His was one of the most exciting conversions of my Christian life.

Located near the boardwalk was his shop where tokers could purchase bongs, rolling papers, etc. On my frequent walks, I routinely dropped by the store to talk. In time, we became good friends. He always had a bar stool sitting near his checkout counter, where I would sit, and we'd talk about lots of things.

On some occasions, we strongly disagreed on various topics. Had I taken those incidences as a reason to quit sharing the Lord, who knows where George might be today?

One day out of the blue, he asked, "You know the stuff you've been sharing with me over the years?"

I replied, "No George, what are you talking about?"

"You know, about Jesus."

"Yea, what about it?"

"I wanna do it."

"You mean you want to repent and give your life to the Lord, George?" I asked.

"Yea."

"When?"

"Right now...." And so we got down on our knees while I led George in the sinner's prayer.

Within a couple of months, George sold his business, applied for entrance into a California seminary and was accepted. He later graduated and became a missionary in South America.

David

Dang!!!! What a great story! That fills me with such joy!! Do you stay in touch?

 

[hopeinGod]

Dang!!!! What a great story! That fills me with such joy!! Do you stay in touch?

We sent one another snail mail letters for a short time, and I drove to California to visit him once while he was attending school. That was in the 70s.

 

[Norah63]

Some we may not see till heaven, we just keep them in prayer and call for blessings of revelation to fill their lives.
A seed planted is a wonderful thing.