Hear my heart, here, dear hearts...
We are commanded to witness Jesus.
We are commanded to witness Jesus.
We are never told we have to chime in on every issue.
As a matter of fact, we are told to "...avoid foolish controversies..."
The whole verse says, "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." (Titus 3:9 ESV)
"...unprofitable and worthless..."
The whole verse says, "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." (Titus 3:9 ESV)
"...unprofitable and worthless..."
I'll just leave this here. I mean, that's enough. However, I sense the need to go just a bit deeper...
Discernment. We need discernment. There are many good and helpful definitions of the word "discernment." You see Spurgeon's here in this picture. Another I use quite often: "Discernment is divine insight into how to handle knowledge and revelation."
When it comes to times to speak or be silent, we need discernment. Sometimes it's easy; avoid foolish and worthless conversation.
Second level, avoid what otherwise could be sensible discussion, but cannot be sensible because non-sensible people are involved. Go back and read that again. Consider Proverbs 26:4 from the plain-spoken New Living Translation: "Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are."
If you want to engage sensibly yourself, soak in prayer, immerse in Scripture, ask for divine wisdom and guidance, and then start thinking about speaking.
Many of us speak without consider possible rebuttals. In other words, we aren't ready for the other side of the view. We aren't ready for rejection. We aren't ready for the argument. We aren't ready for the flood of comments that will come, and for which we opened the verbal dam gates. Proverbs 17:14 says, "The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out." (ESV) [Side note: I like how this translation says "so quit." The NASB says to "abandon" the quarrel. The NLT says to "stop." The KJV says to "leave off." Clear enough?]
If we are not ready for sensible discourse, or if our counterpart is not ready for sensible discussion -- about profitable, worthwhile topics -- stop before we start. If we get into it early, leave off, abandon...just quit.
However, IF we want to speak, again, let us be prayed up, studied on Scripture, and Spirit directed.
It may be careful to get some wise counsel. Let us hear Apostle Paul's words through the Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of the Bible called The Message: "No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous. It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this." (Colossians 3:2-8, paraphrased)
Speak, yes, but not caustically.
Discernment. We need discernment. There are many good and helpful definitions of the word "discernment." You see Spurgeon's here in this picture. Another I use quite often: "Discernment is divine insight into how to handle knowledge and revelation."
When it comes to times to speak or be silent, we need discernment. Sometimes it's easy; avoid foolish and worthless conversation.
Second level, avoid what otherwise could be sensible discussion, but cannot be sensible because non-sensible people are involved. Go back and read that again. Consider Proverbs 26:4 from the plain-spoken New Living Translation: "Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are."
If you want to engage sensibly yourself, soak in prayer, immerse in Scripture, ask for divine wisdom and guidance, and then start thinking about speaking.
Many of us speak without consider possible rebuttals. In other words, we aren't ready for the other side of the view. We aren't ready for rejection. We aren't ready for the argument. We aren't ready for the flood of comments that will come, and for which we opened the verbal dam gates. Proverbs 17:14 says, "The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out." (ESV) [Side note: I like how this translation says "so quit." The NASB says to "abandon" the quarrel. The NLT says to "stop." The KJV says to "leave off." Clear enough?]
If we are not ready for sensible discourse, or if our counterpart is not ready for sensible discussion -- about profitable, worthwhile topics -- stop before we start. If we get into it early, leave off, abandon...just quit.
However, IF we want to speak, again, let us be prayed up, studied on Scripture, and Spirit directed.
It may be careful to get some wise counsel. Let us hear Apostle Paul's words through the Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of the Bible called The Message: "No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous. It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this." (Colossians 3:2-8, paraphrased)
Speak, yes, but not caustically.
Speak, yes, but carefully.
Speak, yes, but with wisdom, and ready for a reply.
And many times, hush.
And many times, hush.
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