WORDS WITHOUT PROFIT

2Timothy 2:14 NET
Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen.

Dear Believer,

Everyone wants to be right. We’ve all seen the passion with which human beings debate about things that are important to them. As someone tries to convince another person, it is possible for fights to break out. Bitterness can spring up and this simple phenomenon has led to wars that cost many lives.

One mark of spiritual and mental maturity is to learn to overlook differences in ideas and avoid unnecessary arguments. Our focus passage today says God’s people must be solemnly charged before the Lord not to wrangle over words. Nothing good comes of it, says the apostle. It just ruins people.

I have noticed that the things that many Believers fight and argue over aren’t so important as they think. Sometimes it is only a matter of ‘accent.’

During a war in ancient Israel, one party identified the other by the way they pronounced the word ‘shibboleth.’ If you said ‘sibboleth,’ you’d be killed by the ‘shiboleth’ group, and if you said ‘shibboleth,’ you’d be killed by the ‘sibboleth’ group.

The painful thing, though, was that ‘shibboleth’ and ‘sibboleth’ were different ways of saying the same thing.The two variations didn’t mean anything to a foreigner. Both groups were of the same stock, having the same ancestors and worshiping the same God. Yet they were killing each other! In fact, 42,000 were killed at this time. (Judges 12:6).

That war did not originate with the contentious word, but we can see how inconsequential differences in opinions, words and outlook can result in unprofitable situations.

Believer, learn to let things go. Many have won an argument but lost a friend. Worthless debates over mundane things like the best color of shoes or sports or even seemingly important debates like ‘should we clap hands in church’ have led to bitterness. Professing believers have debated topics about love and unity with so much hate and bitterness. The irony!

The Word of God teaches:

Proverbs 10:19 KJV
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

If you talk too much and love to argue, you will sin with your mouth. Don’t be dragged into unprofitable words.

Those who love to argue endlessly are usually trapped with their words. Learn from king David who said, “I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.” (Psalm 39:1 KJV).

Have a blessed day!

Your friend,
Deon.