Don't argue with heretics and divisive believers

[thesunisout]

2 Timothy 2:14

Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

When debating with heretics and divisive believers, or even good intentioned believers who are deceived, you'll notice that the argument will usually come down to the meaning of certain words. This is your sign to get out of the conversation immediately.

Early warning signs of fruitless conversations are: beliefs in unorthodox doctrine. rejection of the word of God as the whole truth. mans wisdom needed to properly interpret Gods truth. any diminishment of Jesus' authority or divinity.

These are all the fruit of someone who has already rejected the truth in their heart. Getting rid of the bad fruit won't change the root system, which is a stronghold in their heart. You are not going to be able to change their heart so they believe correctly, or free them from the strongman; only God can do that. All we can do is be faithful to represent the truth and Christs love, but if they don't listen to God they won't listen to you either. If it quickly becomes an argument, where there is no openness to listen, or you sense in yourself a pride wanting to prove you are right, back out immediately. All you are doing is deceiving yourself and hardening the other person. Back out and pray instead.

We can't change peoples hearts but we can pray for God to reveal truth to those who have turned their back on it. Let God do the work and only be faithful to what He is telling you to do, which means we need to humble ourselves above all else when dealing with believers and unbelievers alike.

 

[CodyFaith]

Very important, great post.

Remember Jesus commands us not to cast away our pearls.

Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

 

[Amanda Mission]

2 Timothy 2:14

Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

When debating with heretics and divisive believers, or even good intentioned believers who are deceived, you'll notice that the argument will usually come down to the meaning of certain words. This is your sign to get out of the conversation immediately.

Early warning signs of fruitless conversations are: beliefs in unorthodox doctrine. rejection of the word of God as the whole truth. mans wisdom needed to properly interpret Gods truth. any diminishment of Jesus' authority or divinity.

These are all the fruit of someone who has already rejected the truth in their heart. Getting rid of the bad fruit won't change the root system, which is a stronghold in their heart. You are not going to be able to change their heart so they believe correctly, or free them from the strongman; only God can do that. All we can do is be faithful to represent the truth and Christs love, but if they don't listen to God they won't listen to you either. If it quickly becomes an argument, where there is no openness to listen, or you sense in yourself a pride wanting to prove you are right, back out immediately. All you are doing is deceiving yourself and hardening the other person. Back out and pray instead.

We can't change peoples hearts but we can pray for God to reveal truth to those who have turned their back on it. Let God do the work and only be faithful to what He is telling you to do, which means we need to humble ourselves above all else when dealing with believers and unbelievers alike.

Wow! I am so glad to hear such wisdom and poignance! You speak the truth with such a heartfelt eloquence. I am currently fighting my own self deception when I puff up with pride to retort such divisive talk. Responding to negativity and provocation has left me drained. Right now, I'm asking our Lord for a new heart and mind. One that reflects his presence in my life. Can you pray with me?

 

[samir]

2 Timothy 2:14

Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

When debating with heretics and divisive believers, or even good intentioned believers who are deceived, you'll notice that the argument will usually come down to the meaning of certain words. This is your sign to get out of the conversation immediately.

Early warning signs of fruitless conversations are: beliefs in unorthodox doctrine. rejection of the word of God as the whole truth. mans wisdom needed to properly interpret Gods truth. any diminishment of Jesus' authority or divinity.

These are all the fruit of someone who has already rejected the truth in their heart. Getting rid of the bad fruit won't change the root system, which is a stronghold in their heart. You are not going to be able to change their heart so they believe correctly, or free them from the strongman; only God can do that. All we can do is be faithful to represent the truth and Christs love, but if they don't listen to God they won't listen to you either. If it quickly becomes an argument, where there is no openness to listen, or you sense in yourself a pride wanting to prove you are right, back out immediately. All you are doing is deceiving yourself and hardening the other person. Back out and pray instead.

We can't change peoples hearts but we can pray for God to reveal truth to those who have turned their back on it. Let God do the work and only be faithful to what He is telling you to do, which means we need to humble ourselves above all else when dealing with believers and unbelievers alike.

Good post but there is a difference between heretics and those who quarrel about words. Heretics believe part of the Christian faith, choosing to reject the parts of Christ's teaching that they don't like. Such people like to gainsay scripture or "interpret" it to say that things like fornication, adultery, sodomy, or abortion are not sins by saying the verses prohibiting them aren't scripture (meaning they were added later), the translators made a mistake, or the verse is refuted by other scripture (as if God's word could contradict itself and that's a valid excuse to reject it). A good verse about heretics is Titus 3:10-11 (KJV), "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."

Some people just like to argue over words. They may be a good Christian, accepting the entire Christian faith, but are naturally prone to being pedantic possibly due to genetics or their personality. These people argue about trivial matters of no consequence and aren't looking to get around God's word to excuse a cherished sin. Such meaningless arguing over words is a minor sin and it's best to avoid arguing with them but they are not heretics and should not be rejected or treated as unbelievers.

 

[Amanda Mission]

Good post but there is a difference between heretics and those who quarrel about words. Heretics believe part of the Christian faith, choosing to reject the parts of Christ's teaching that they don't like. Such people like to gainsay scripture or "interpret" it to say that things like adultery, sodomy, and fornication are not sins by saying the verses aren't scripture, the translators made a mistake, or the verse is refuted by other scripture (as if God's word could contradict itself and that's a valid excuse to reject it). A good verse about heretics is Titus 3:10-11 (KJV), "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."

Some people just like to argue over words. They may be a good Christian, accepting the entire Christian faith, but are naturally prone to being pedantic possibly due to genetics or their personality. These people argue about trivial matters of no consequence and aren't looking to get around God's word to excuse a cherished sin. Such meaningless arguing over words is a minor sin and it's best to avoid arguing with them but they are not heretics and should not be rejected or treated as

I think the writer is alluding to the fact that when we self righteously hold beliefs that are not based upon scripture, we are causing equal harm as if we never heard or believed in Christ at all.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

2 Timothy 2:14

Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

When debating with heretics and divisive believers, or even good intentioned believers who are deceived, you'll notice that the argument will usually come down to the meaning of certain words. This is your sign to get out of the conversation immediately.

Early warning signs of fruitless conversations are: beliefs in unorthodox doctrine. rejection of the word of God as the whole truth. mans wisdom needed to properly interpret Gods truth. any diminishment of Jesus' authority or divinity.

These are all the fruit of someone who has already rejected the truth in their heart. Getting rid of the bad fruit won't change the root system, which is a stronghold in their heart. You are not going to be able to change their heart so they believe correctly, or free them from the strongman; only God can do that. All we can do is be faithful to represent the truth and Christs love, but if they don't listen to God they won't listen to you either. If it quickly becomes an argument, where there is no openness to listen, or you sense in yourself a pride wanting to prove you are right, back out immediately. All you are doing is deceiving yourself and hardening the other person. Back out and pray instead.

We can't change peoples hearts but we can pray for God to reveal truth to those who have turned their back on it. Let God do the work and only be faithful to what He is telling you to do, which means we need to humble ourselves above all else when dealing with believers and unbelievers alike.

Great post.

Especially when you speak of the root problem/issue. I often try to steer arguments to the root problem, ignoring the surface issue, when I can.

A faulty worldview will produce faulty fruit. There is no sense in arguing against the fruit. One must attempt to deconstruct the faulty worldview, and a good way to do that is to help people think through the logical consequence of their worldview.

This is already difficult, putting it mildly, but it is immediately impossible when they become belligerent. If there is no hearing of your words, move on.

 

[victorinus]

you'll notice that the argument will usually come down to the meaning of certain words. This is your sign to get out of the conversation immediately

this is good

 

[thesunisout]

Very important, great post.

Remember Jesus commands us not to cast away our pearls.

Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Great point, it is even more urgent to practice this since it is our Lords express command. It's an easy line to cross, that's why we need the wisdom and revelation of God to keep us in check.

 

[thesunisout]

Wow! I am so glad to hear such wisdom and poignance! You speak the truth with such a heartfelt eloquence. I am currently fighting my own self deception when I puff up with pride to retort such divisive talk. Responding to negativity and provocation has left me drained. Right now, I'm asking our Lord for a new heart and mind. One that reflects his presence in my life. Can you pray with me?

I have often felt that sting. I can rationalize to myself that I am trying to help them but there is something stirring in my heart that is jumping up, wanting to prove them wrong. That is the flesh; The scripture says that if I have all knowledge, wisdom and faith but have not love then I am nothing. I will pray for you sister.

 

[thesunisout]

Good post but there is a difference between heretics and those who quarrel about words. Heretics believe part of the Christian faith, choosing to reject the parts of Christ's teaching that they don't like. Such people like to gainsay scripture or "interpret" it to say that things like fornication, adultery, sodomy, or abortion are not sins by saying the verses prohibiting them aren't scripture (meaning they were added later), the translators made a mistake, or the verse is refuted by other scripture (as if God's word could contradict itself and that's a valid excuse to reject it). A good verse about heretics is Titus 3:10-11 (KJV), "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."

Some people just like to argue over words. They may be a good Christian, accepting the entire Christian faith, but are naturally prone to being pedantic possibly due to genetics or their personality. These people argue about trivial matters of no consequence and aren't looking to get around God's word to excuse a cherished sin. Such meaningless arguing over words is a minor sin and it's best to avoid arguing with them but they are not heretics and should not be rejected or treated as unbelievers.

It is a good admonition that we shouldn't be so quick to dismiss those who argue against the truth as heretics and the like. It can also be our pride that cannot recognize an honest difference of opinion, or that we ourselves could be wrong.

 

[thesunisout]

Great post.

Especially when you speak of the root problem/issue. I often try to steer arguments to the root problem, ignoring the surface issue, when I can.

A faulty worldview will produce faulty fruit. There is no sense in arguing against the fruit. One must attempt to deconstruct the faulty worldview, and a good way to do that is to help people think through the logical consequence of their worldview.

This is already difficult, putting it mildly, but it is immediately impossible when they become belligerent. If there is no hearing of your words, move on.

Worldview is huge, and it can be a tangled mess to deal with usually. I used to get into debates with atheists and sometimes it would be like 20 paragraphs back and forth. For all of that talk, there was no budging on any point; if a wall was knocked down, two more would appear in their place. Without God doing something, the deception is totally complete. The enemy has blinded their eyes from seeing the gospel of the glory of Jesus Christ. Paving the way with prayer before saying anything, and then being guided by the Holy Spirit through the conversation is the best tactic we have I think.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

2 Timothy 2:14

Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

When debating with heretics and divisive believers, or even good intentioned believers who are deceived, you'll notice that the argument will usually come down to the meaning of certain words. This is your sign to get out of the conversation immediately.

Early warning signs of fruitless conversations are: beliefs in unorthodox doctrine. rejection of the word of God as the whole truth. mans wisdom needed to properly interpret Gods truth. any diminishment of Jesus' authority or divinity.

These are all the fruit of someone who has already rejected the truth in their heart. Getting rid of the bad fruit won't change the root system, which is a stronghold in their heart. You are not going to be able to change their heart so they believe correctly, or free them from the strongman; only God can do that. All we can do is be faithful to represent the truth and Christs love, but if they don't listen to God they won't listen to you either. If it quickly becomes an argument, where there is no openness to listen, or you sense in yourself a pride wanting to prove you are right, back out immediately. All you are doing is deceiving yourself and hardening the other person. Back out and pray instead.

We can't change peoples hearts but we can pray for God to reveal truth to those who have turned their back on it. Let God do the work and only be faithful to what He is telling you to do, which means we need to humble ourselves above all else when dealing with believers and unbelievers alike.

What does the bible mean by reason with?


Acts 17:2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

Acts 17:17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.

Acts 18:4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

Acts 18:19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.