Thursday 1st February
Read 2 Timothy 2:23-26
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (NIVUK)
We all have experience dealing with people whose perspective on matters is, shall we say, less than objective. They may feel they are wronged in some way, or their way of life is threatened. They are argumentative and adversarial, seeking to converse only in order to trap and ensnare you. The purpose of their argument is less to convince but to accuse, which benefits them in some way whilst seeking your harm.
How do you handle such conversations? I confess that I usually follow the first part of the advice Paul gives Timothy and have nothing to do with them (v23). Discreet silence. The second part, gentle instruction (v25), I often leave for later as it is simply too hard. Yet lying underneath these verses is a surprising truth. Whilst we all know that belief affects behaviour, the obverse is also true – behaviour affects belief. Kindness and gentleness leads to a knowledge of the truth (v25). Is it kind and gentle to be silent? Sometimes it may be. But at other times, maybe not.
We have many records of Jesus’ encounters with such people. Sometimes he would turn their argument back against them with such eloquent brilliance and wisdom we are left dazzled. Yet standing before Pilate and the Jewish leaders in the face of specious accusations and arguments, He was silent.
Pray for wisdom for one another in dealing with such people ourselves.
