But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are useless and worthless.
We use different phrases to describe things getting out of hand in an argument such as, “That escalated quickly.” When we look back at arguments, we often forget about the specific reason for the fight because we see how silly it was. Disagreements are natural in life because we are all designed uniquely and all bring a different perspective to a conversation but problems arise when we allow our disagreements to impact our unity as the church. We move away from Christ’s call when we focus more on being right than pursuing one another in love.
Paul did not pull any punches when he warned Titus about the destructiveness of these debates. These disagreements take our energy, and they weigh on our relationships with each other. Trivial arguments may start in good fun or even in an intellectual discussion but sooner or later, they start to eat away at unity. This matter of unity is so important that it is something Jesus prayed for his followers in the garden of Gethsemane. John 17:21-23 says, “. . . that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.” Jesus takes this issue of unity seriously, praying for His followers to be united in Him because He knew it would impact our witness. We also must value unity and surrender our individual need to be right on every matter.
- What foolish debates and arguments you are inclined to get into?
- How do you typically conduct yourself when you feel like you are right on a debated subject?
- Pray and ask God to give you self-control when you feel inclined to engage in foolish debates or arguments.
