The Long-Suffering Leader (Part 2)

Sharing the Gospel with an interested person is one thing.  Arguing and debating with them is another.  Talking out an issue is good.  Disagreeing and trying to understand one another is good.  However, arguing about the truth is not good and neither is it necessary.  The truth (Jesus) stands alone regardless of whether a heretic thinks they get the last word or not.  The truth STILL stands.  If I spent all my time defending what I believe, I wouldn't have time to do anything else.


If you are a Christian out doing something for Jesus, expect persecution...don't be surprised when it comes.  The Bible says that all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  In sharing Christ on the Internet, we've encountered a variety of people...including atheists and liberals...many of them claiming to be Christian who are Buddhists, Mormons and even Satanists.  They all have one thing in common...they are false prophets who want to share their bad news and misinformation.  


We are commanded NOT to argue with them and I've learned the hard way to obey those commandments.  STRIVING with people will certainly "eat you as a canker" as the Scripture says.  

• 2 Timothy 2:14 "Strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers."
• 2 Timothy 2:16-17 "But shun profane and vain babblings:  for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  And their word will eat as doth a canker..."
• 2 Timothy 2:23 "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."
• Proverbs 26:4-5 "Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.  Answer a fool according to his folly, let he be wise in his own conceit."

In other words, you have to use wisdom to know when to ignore a fool and when to answer a fool. 

• 2 Timothy 2:24  "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,"

The Lord's servant must not be an argumentative type of person who is ready to come out with guns blazing.  There are many people like that who shoot from the "lip," always ready for an argument.  But the Lord's servant is not out to win arguments; he is not out to squash the opposition or silence dissent by overbearing, heavy-handed approaches.  Rather, he is there to encourage discussion and examination.  He does not put down opponents or resort to name-calling or attacks.  He is not argumentative, not contentious. 


The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) teaches us to walk with gentleness to all.  Steer clear of squabbles.