Lesser Discussed Sins Series - 07 - Debates and Disputes

A brief venture into the world of either social media or the comment section of a news article would reveal our next discussion topic: debate/disputes.  In our series to this point, many of the discussed sins are easily understood and the application is clear once the sin has been understood.  However, in the case of debates/disputes, a certain amount of judgment (based upon the Scriptures) must be applied to whether the debate or dispute constitutes what is condemned by God.   Perhaps this topic is discussed more often by Christians than some of the others in the series, but too often the concept of “debate” is considered to be something that is entirely evil.  This topic, like all others, is one that Christians need to carefully examine and seek to understand what the Scriptures teach.  Are all debates and/or disagreements condemned in the Bible? What do the Scriptures teach?

In Romans 1:29 (NKJV), the Apostle Paul wrote, “…being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers…” In the KJV, “strife” is translated as “debate” and considering these two translations together provide modern Christians with a more accurate understanding of what Paul was addressing.  In this context, debate is used in reference to specific subcategory of debate rather than being addressed in general.  How might we discern this from the context? Debate is surrounded in this passage by other sins, such as wickedness, maliciousness, deceit, and the like, which modifies that application of the word “debate” or “strife,” which means that Paul never intended it to be a blanket statement concerning all disagreements. 

Not all disagreements and resulting discussions equate to what Paul condemned in Romans 1:29.  Simply because two people disagree, even vehemently, does not necessarily mean that any discussion of their two alternative perspectives should be dismissed.  Unfortunately, too many Christians have fallen prey to the misconception that the discussion of opposing viewpoints will turn off any non-Christian that witnesses it, but if we look to the Bible it is clear through multiple examples that the Apostles disputed alternative viewpoints (even among those seeking to be faithful to God).  However, Paul did instruct Timothy to “avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (2 Timothy 2:23).  Likewise, Paul instructed Titus to “avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless” (Titus 3:9).  Was Paul insinuating that all disputes fall under this category and should therefore be avoided? The answer is clear from the context; Paul denotes the specific type of dispute he was condemning by modifying them with the words “foolish” and “ignorant” because such only lead to strife (remember how “debate” is translated as “strife” in the NKJV and similar translations). 

Return now to the example of social media and news articles; such examples show that it is easy to see what constitutes a foolish dispute.  Consider this rather silly, but pointed example from a few years ago: a popular musical artist posted a photo of his truck on social media.  In the comment section, many people began to argue, cuss, swear, and call each other names because of the kind of truck it was and the size of the vehicle.  Is there any wisdom in such argumentation? Was there even a valid reason for a disagreement? On a more serious level, however, there are many people claiming to be Christians that arrogantly assert their expertise on all things Biblical and will debate anything, anywhere.  Oftentimes, those asserting such claims will present arguments that are self-serving in many ways and will lead to unrighteous behaviors rather than godly ones. 

It is clear that discerning between a foolish dispute and a disagreement that may yet yield a positive benefit can be difficult.  However, the Scriptures provide Christians with a few guidelines to help with such discernment.  In the context of Paul’s words to Titus, he also wrote, “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned” (Titus 3:10-11).  How might this help modern Christians determine where a healthy discussion ends and a foolish dispute begins? Can a person misunderstand certain Scriptures, yet continue to work towards a clearer understanding via discussion without being divisive? Perhaps a consideration of Apollos in Acts 18:24-28 would be prudent; Apollos was zealous in his teaching, although he was incorrect.  In spite of being so zealous, Apollos was clearly open to discussion and evidence, and when Aquila and Priscilla taught him, he accepted the truth.  It is clear that such is not a foolish dispute and that there was a benefit to such a discussion.  The example of Apollos is important because his attitude proved his desire to be acceptable to God.  Unlike the examples in Scriptures of false teachers, the teachings of Apollos would not lead to ungodliness; in other words, Apollos did not teach a doctrine that abused the grace of God and what he taught was correct at one point in time. Likewise, Christians should consider both the attitudes and the doctrines brought by those who would fall under the divisive category. 

A few years ago, an individual stated that he held a position on the topic of modesty that was unheard of among Christians, which is often a good indication of the value of such a position.  Based upon the twisting of a few Scriptures (reference 2 Peter 3:16), he claimed that only married women needed to be modest and that unmarried women could dress in whatever manner they deemed necessary so as to attract a mate.  At that time, this man was young and unmarried; might such an argument be rather self-serving? Such an argument made it excusable for him to lust after young women and still claim it to be a Scripturally supported stance.  Consider the words of Jude who wrote, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4).  Likewise, Jude also wrote “that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.  These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit” (Jude 18-19).  When an individual consistently presents arguments that glorify lewd behaviors and carefully twist Scripture to fit their desires, then they are the divisive man discussed in Titus 3.  Should Christians continue to discuss and debate with such an individual?

While it is often tempting to continue to debate with such individuals and believe that potential “others” will benefit from it, there is a reason that the Apostle Paul warned against such.  Modern Christians should carefully consider the reasons for which Paul wrote to reject such an individual after the first and second admonition; do we consider ourselves to be better equipped than Paul to handle such discourse? If the continuation of such disputes can be excused by saying that “others might benefit from it,” then could the same not have been said during Paul’s time? When such a command is found in the Scriptures, then modern Christians should work towards an understanding of that command and the reasons for which it was issued by God through His inspired writers.  As a final admonition, consider the words of Paul found in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”  These words follow up Paul’s discussion of those in Israel’s past that thought themselves able to be entangled with the world and yet endure it.  As Paul stated in that context, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written down for our admonition…” (1 Corinthians 10:11).  Let us take to heart the words of the Apostle Paul!