Arguing Over Foolish Things

We must stop those who teach strange doctrines that do not match the plain sense of the Bible. We should not pay any attention to those who debate over foolish peripheral matters. Those kinds of discussions are “fruitless” and motivated by pride.

• 1 Timothy 1:3-7 HCSB As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach other doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God's plan, which operates by faith. 5 Now the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 6 Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don't understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.

We should work hard at developing a sound and well-rounded grasp of the Scriptures. However, bashing others over the head with our new-found knowledge, while perhaps personally gratifying, reveals that though we may possess some limited form of knowledge, we lack understanding and wisdom.

• 2 Timothy 2:14-17 HCSB Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. 17 And their word will spread like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus.
• 2 Timothy 2:22-26 HCSB Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. 24 The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth. 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by him to do his will.

Note: Paul, a master debater and evangelist, says we need to understand the following about wrangling over mere words, splitting hairs, delighting in casuistry, sophistry or polemics:

1. It is useless.
2. It leads to the ruin of those who listen to it.
3. It leads to the furtherance of ungodliness.
4. It ends up spreading like gangrene.
5. It will produce quarrels.

Christians should actually avoid controversies over foolish matters – things that are unprofitable, worthless and give credence to those who say that Christians are constantly fighting and forming splits.

• Titus 3:9-11 HCSB But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.

Note: A person who is “factious” is addicted to forming cliques, groups or parties (as in political parties – not the fun kind). They are seditious, divisive and characterized by contentiousness, self-seeking and reckless of the common good. They have a party spirit (divisive) and seem to delight in argument for argument’s sake. They foment intrigue and are marked by irreconcilable conflicts that are unrelated to sound doctrine, logic or even common sense. It may take a time or two before you realize what kind of person you are dealing with, but once you have you are commanded to have nothing more to do with their games. You do not want to participate in or encourage their sin.