Thought for 23 September 2024

2 Timothy 2:23-26

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.  The Lord’s servants must not quarrel but be kind to everyone. 

They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people.  They should gently teach those who oppose the truth.  Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will believe the truth.  Then they will come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap.  For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

It is a thought-provoking reading today.  I don’t have any brothers or sisters and this is something I regretted when I was younger but when I look around me these days, I see a friend that takes nothing to do with his brother and sister, another friend who gets on with all of his brothers bar one and I could go on so maybe not having brothers or sisters isn’t necessarily a bad thing. 

I’m wondering what are some of the ‘foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights’.  Could they be be in any way to do with religion, politics, sport or maybe even based on items of gossip?

Paul’s teachings challenge us to be kind to everyone and not to quarrel.  If we are teaching in any way, shape or form, it should be carried out effectively.  We are instructed to be patient with difficult people and gently try and influence those who oppose the truth of the Gospel.  If we are unsuccessful then the only alternative is to pray for the intervention of the Holy Spirit if we want to see those who resist the truth escape from the Devil’s snare and escape the hold the Devil has upon them.

I sometimes get fascinated with words and one which has came to my attention recently is the word ‘discombobulated’.  This is a word I almost never hear used but only this morning, a lady who was about to participate in a debate on radio with a particular viewpoint used it.  She said that while she was waiting to be brought into the discussion, she had actually come to agree with some of the other folks participating in the debate that were there with an opposing view to her own.  This left her a bit discombobulated or confused or disconcerted.  Personally, I respected her for listening to what the folks with different views to herself had to say and that she was prepared to admit that she may have been mistaken taking certain aspects of the stance she had adopted.  The other instance was in a letter from a friend who had welcomed someone into his home and despite offering hospitality, was treated poorly which left him also disconcerted.

In conclusion, each day of our lives might feature challenges such as those previously referred to and it is not always easy to react to these challenges in the ways that Paul has directed us. However difficult it might be, it is the right way to approach them and the right way to behave.  When it comes to reacting to those around us in a Christian manner, there is a kind way to behave despite whatever discombobulation we might experience.

Prayer – Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times when we have been reluctant to stand up for our belief in you or share the gospel with those who are unbelievers.  Forgive us when we have quarrelled with those that seem to thrive on arguing with us.  Help us to be ready to give an answer for the truth of the gospel with patience and in gentleness of spirit.  Help us to be led by Your Holy Spirit and not by our own emotional, human and defensive reactions. In Jesus' name, Amen.