Tags
1 Timothy 6, 2 Timothy 2, Apologetics, Fools, God is God, Jesus, Proverbs 14, Titus 3
Scripture portrays fools as those who have rejected God and his ways and are unable or unwilling to appreciate the wisdom of knowing and obeying him. A great example is “A fool has said in his heart, there is no God.”
So what to do? Argue with atheists? Have wonderful debates over theology and dogma? Not hardly. They can be waste of our time. They can be waste of our words. Jesus warned us to not cast our pearls before swine.
God’s goal: What does God want us to do? We should always answer a legitimate question and give a good defense. Having answered the question, we shouldn’t argue and can move on. God is the one to convict a heart and soul. God wants us to be a messenger, always in a spirit of love.
We are to give a defense of the hope we have to all those who ask. Answers deserve to be given. We are to be gentle and respectful. We sow the seed and then move on if we need to.
Escape quickly from the company of fools; they’re a waste of your time, a waste of your words.
Proverbs 14:7
Here are some more thoughts to ponder. Are we to avoid and refuse to have anything to do with such foolish thinking? I guess that would save me some time studying apologetics! 🙂
The suggestion from Solomon is to move on quickly. Here are some other thoughts.
- 1 Timothy 6:4 (NASB) — 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,
- 2 Timothy 2:23 (NASB) — 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
- Titus 3:9 (NASB) — 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Jesus Quotes and God Thoughts 
Several years ago I got into a discussion with someone I was working with at the time. Their beliefs on a topic and mine differed. I knew quickly they had plans of being very argumentative. I politely told them my belief on the topic, allowed them their say then told them, that they knew I thought a lot of them, even with our differences, and that this was one. We’ll agree to disagree and remain friends. They did smile, knew that I wasn’t playing their game and we remained friends. No one around us was going to see this Christian trying to ram a belief down the throat of one who didn’t. Plant the seed and move on, the Holy Spirit will tend it.
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Amen. Very well said. Blessings.
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Thank you. May you be blessed richly as well.
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Good point: “What does God want us to do? We should always answer a legitimate question and give a good defense. Having answered the question, we shouldn’t argue and can move on.”
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May we be wise with dealing with foolish arguments, much needed for those who are into apologetics
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Thanks for sharing Michael. I believe apologetics is an important component to evangelism, especially if it is done with grace, humility, and respect. We are called to defend the truth in love. However, we need to be careful not to participate in argumentation and endless debates that do not edify one another. Blessings!
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Well said. Thanks.
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