Truths and Untruths - 5/21/06

2 Timothy 2:23-26, "Stay away from foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they grow into quarrels. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and patient. The Lord's servant must gently teach those who disagree. Then maybe God will let them change their minds so they can accept the truth. And then they may wake up and escape from the trap of the devil, who catches them to do what he wants."

"I'm not stupid, YOU'RE stupid!"
"No, YOU'RE stupid, stupid-head!"

Okay, so maybe these aren't the exact words typically used, but I think this dialogue summarizes the mood that so often prevails when a believer and non-believer discuss their differing viewpoints. I actually wrote this journal entry weeks ago after a tense discussion my wife and her sister had with their father regarding spiritual matters. I didn't feel the need to post it at the time for some reason, but in the light of the Da Vinci code being released, so many people are up in arms about a new attack on Christianity by those who don't understand the truth so I felt like I should post it now.

The scripture above warns us to stay away from foolish and stupid arguments when discussing such things because they grow into quarrels - which last much longer. It's so easy to forget how difficult it is for a non-believer to forsake their own will for something unseen. It's just as easy to forget that their spirit has not been touched by the love of our living God, and we must pray for them. God has already changed the hearts and minds of millions of others just like them -- just like you and me.

When we disucss matters of faith with soeone who has never heard them before - or has only heard distorted misrepresentations - we are urged by this scripture to gently teach those who disagree. It says a servent of the Lord must be kind to everyone, a good teacher, and patient.

All three of these can be difficult when the tone of the conversation becomes condescending or hostile. Then, you don't really want to be kind, or patient, and therefore cannot be a good teacher. We must not let our emotions eclipse our ability to pass spiritual knowledge on to somebody who knows nothing of the matter. If in fact they do know something of the matter but have chosen to be against God, then the most you can do for them is to pray for them. The least you can do for them is walk away...

This scripture says that the devil uses traps to ensnare people and do what he wants. In our culture, the science of manipulated facts and theories to support anything that is against God is so often used to that effect. A theory that is unproven and against God is often accepted as truth. Those who believe it are now working for the enemy and against the kingdom of God. Unproven theories become pillars of modern science and used as arguments against the existence of God.

Truth, however, and spiritual facts have three pillars: The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. Their evidence, other than changed lives, changed hearts, and answered prayers - is simply all of creation.

So when we talk about the evidence of spiritual truth and facts, we must be patient and understand that the person we are talking to has been deceived by the father of all lies. Be kind to them, and pray that their hearts may be softened; their minds opened up to truth, His will, and His way. Do not let it escalate into a foolish or stupid argument. We are ambassadors for Christ, and must work as He did, speaking diplomatically but sternly, unwavering in what we as Christians know to be true.