By Ann
Had any quarrels lately? I have…and disagreements leave me feeling tied up in knots.
Witnessed any quarrels lately? Within your family, or maybe on social media? Observing quarrels can produce strong emotions, too.
It is easy to feel entangled when caught in a net of feelings and emotions.
Thankfully, God’s Word speaks to the heart of every problem.
2 Timothy 2:4 tells us that, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” I don’t think this means that we don’t engage with the world, but rather we remember that God is our authority, and we aim to please Him. He is the one who enlisted us, and we should seek to follow his orders.
Our orders according to 2 Timothy 2:23 are to “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies.”
Whether in person or online, we should steer clear of ignorant controversies. Clearly, some things don’t merit debate. When there is an issue worthy of discussion, 2 Timothy 2:24-25 provides clear guidance telling us: “And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”
How often am I more focused on making my point than on gently communicating in a way that aligns with God’s heart to grant repentance leading to a knowledge of truth? Sadly, I know the answer to that question.
Whenever I take my eyes off my commanding officer, I am all too easily swept up in civilian concerns forgetting that through grace I have been enlisted to represent Jesus. Forgetting that I was forgiven so that I could be salt and light…not so that I could always be right!
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Col. 4:6 NIV)
Lord, forgive me when I focus on making my point or winning arguments rather than serving You. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You. May this be truer tomorrow than it was yesterday.