It is easy for the Church to become distracted from the focus of the gospel which Paul has been reminding Timothy of. Temptations to think of the church from the terms of the entertainment value, even social care issues or a society for anything are too real. The Church needs reminding of the important things.
“Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” (2 Timothy 2 v 14-16)
We have a tendency to get caught up in arguments that generate more heat than light. Paul isn’t dismissing the importance of sound doctrine or theological precision, but rather warning against contentious debates that serve our ego more than God’s kingdom. You find them often on social media and they “ruin those who listen” tearing down rather than build up the body of Christ.
In contrast, we are to be students who handle Scripture with care, precision, and reverence. Let’s not twist meanings to fit our preferences, but allow God’s Word to speak clearly to those who will hear. We are called to approach Scripture with integrity, letting it say what it actually says rather than what we might wish it to say.
We don’t need to win the argument if there is no importance to the debate. If it doesn’t help us and others come closer to God then let us not carry on arguing.
Let us approach the reading of God’s Word with humility, recognising that we are the ones being examined by the Word, not the other way around.
Let us all be intentional with our words and thoughts. What are we feeding our minds? Are we growing in godliness or drifting toward spiritual emptiness?
Missions Paul 