“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.” (Titus 3 v9-11)
I wonder what Paul would say about the foolish controversies and arguments that exist today in the church? We may not be concerned about genealogies and the law of Moses but nevertheless we see division.
In contrast to what people thought was important, within this letter, Paul is focused on practical living and behaviour. He could no doubt debate and probably win those who want to argue things that are nothing short of ‘foolish’. But he would rather focus on the simple Word of God. Keeping the main thing the main thing.
Ever find yourself in a heated conversation asking yourself why you are arguing this particular topic?
Is it helpful?
Is it encouraging?
Is it edifying?
Some people are not only involved in such controversies they are actually ‘divisive’.
We do well to draw from Paul’s advice given to Titus: try and convince a divisive person to stop behaving the way they are and if they don’t change then make a decision to turn way from them.
Interestingly Paul doesn’t advocate for continuing to try to persuade the person nor to publicly humiliate them but to leave them alone and presumably taking into account what Paul says elsewhere, leave them to God.
Why waste your life walking with divisive people?
Missions Paul 