Perhaps you're right. I admit I may have gone from edification to quarreling in light of the FOLLOWING Scripture..
2 Timothy 2:22
23 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 quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, 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.
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Yet I must admit that PERSONALLY, I have always been a 'discovery learner', meaning it's curiousity that drives me to investigate, to delve into the Scriptures, and sometimes it's the CHALLENGE of contesting what I believe is the truth, that drives me to the Bible to reaffirm what has already been established or is BEING established STRONGER in building my faith.
I believe this may not be healthy for all, ESPECIALLY new believers in Christ... and then the added confusion of 'advertising' such goings back and forth on a message board may be unhealthy for the readers abroad and counter productive. Pray for discernment for me, that I can know WHEN to cut off conversations and understand the difference between the inquisitive / decieved, and the 'agenda driven' folks.
I've been TRYING to balance the Scriptures of restraint with the following ones that come to mind..
Colossians 2:2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
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The fact is, I simply want the sword sharpened in my life to equip me in battle. (sword of the Spirit/ the word of God). God KNOWS it's a REAL battle down here, and the better I am at 'rightly divinding the word of truth', I believe the better I will be to help others ward off deception that are TRULY seeking God..
Thanks again for your admonishment and words.. There is a Proverb, I think, that a rebuke from a friend is more effective than 20 lashes from an enemy. [paraphrased, for sure:)]
AI
