Why are we always arguing?

2 Timothy 2:23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

Christians have always recognized common core beliefs that are essential to Christianity doctrines that should be guarded: faith, repentance and submission to the will of God. Anything less significant is not worth fighting about, especially when it leads to quarreling over who is “more spiritual.

The Scriptures were written by holy men of God (about 40 in all) “as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” While in no way denying the personalities of the human writers or rejecting the uniqueness of their different styles, the Holy Spirit controlled the process of bringing things to the writers’ memories (John 16:13) and ensuring what they recorded was the very Word of God. (See “Inspiration,” 2 Tim. 3:16.)

Here’s a couple of examples: Jeremiah once became so frustrated that he wanted to quit, but God’s Spirit compelled him to go on (Jer. 20:9). Likewise, Jonah at first refused to take God’s message to Nineveh, but later obeyed God’s second call (Jon. 3:1).

How to apply it to our lives: As Christians read the Bible, they can be confident that it is the very Word of God. (First Reference, Judges. 2:1; Primary Reference, 2 Pet. 1:21; cf. John 10:35.)

So, to wrap it up, we cause more damage to the Christian faith by arguing over silly little things that don’t matter to our salvation, than we do by remembering the basics that we have in common. Pick your fights wisely.

Letting God change me

Introduction — What does “saved” or “born again” mean?

What does it mean to be a Christian, or to be “born again”? When I grew up, I thought being a Christian meant joining an organization or going to church, but I discovered that’s not the real answer (although it’s good to go to church). The real answer has to do with accepting God’s love for us and the gift of a full life he offers through Jesus Christ.

Something is wrong with human nature

As I grew up, I could see that something was drastically wrong with almost everyone I knew. I rarely saw the quality of love and trust between people that I felt should be there. I did not observe this lack in others only. I knew that something was missing in me.

I explored different philosophies, schools of psychology, sociological approaches, metaphysical ideas and religions. Many sounded reasonable at first, but as I evaluated their reality in my life and in the lives of those who embraced them, they seemed hollow. They obviously didn’t work.

God provided a solution

I thought there was a spiritual element to life, but couldn’t figure out what it was. But God drew my wife Skeeter and me to him. Following a series of unexpected events, we surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ and prayed, inviting him to be our Savior and Lord. According to Jesus’ words, we were “born again” (John 3:3-7).

As I grew in my Christian walk, I learned about “original sin,” the fact that we all inherit a sinful nature because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. This cripples us all. Here, finally, was an explanation that rang true, a reason for the “something wrong” I had observed and experienced.

To my delight, I finally began to see this “something wrong” in me changing for the better. I still have a long way to go, but I am thankful for the work God has done so far.

Jesus offers us a fullness of life

Jesus offers each of us a walk with God and a fullness of life that is not possible without him. He said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). He also said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), and “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

How does one become a Christian?

Do not assume you are a Christian because of your background or church membership. Being raised by Christians does not automatically make you a Christian, nor does going to church, seeking to live a moral life, serving as an elder or leading as a pastor. What counts is whether you have given your life to Jesus Christ.

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

“Believe” means to “adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth” (Amplified Bible). Becoming a Christian is surrendering your life to Christ and allowing his Spirit to dwell within you.

Personal application — Pray to accept Christ’s love

If you have never done so, I invite you to present yourself to him now, for “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Surrender your life to God by accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Then allow God to begin the process of transforming you into the best man or woman you can be.

What do we argue about?

2 Timothy 2:23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

Christians have always recognized common core beliefs that are essential to Christianity doctrines that should be guarded: faith, repentance and submission to the will of God. Anything less significant is not worth fighting about, especially when it leads to quarreling over who is “more spiritual.

The Scriptures were written by holy men of God (about 40 in all) “as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” While in no way denying the personalities of the human writers or rejecting the uniqueness of their different styles, the Holy Spirit controlled the process of bringing things to the writers’ memories (John 16:13) and ensuring what they recorded was the very Word of God. (See “Inspiration,” 2 Tim. 3:16.)

 

Here’s a couple of examples: Jeremiah once became so frustrated that he wanted to quit, but God’s Spirit compelled him to go on (Jer. 20:9). Likewise, Jonah at first refused to take God’s message to Nineveh, but later obeyed God’s second call (Jon. 3:1).

 

How to apply it to our lives: As Christians read the Bible, they can be confident that it is the very Word of God. (First Reference, Judges. 2:1; Primary Reference, 2 Pet. 1:21; cf. John 10:35.)

So, to wrap it up, we cause more damage to the Christian faith by arguing over silly little things that don’t matter to our salvation, than we do by remembering the basics that we have in common. Pick your fights wisely.

When anger shows upo, trouble will follow

James 1:19 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

 

Can you imagine what would happen if we all took the time to put a buffer between our anger, and the event that triggered it? If we just slowed down, prayed on it, then reacted? Secular Psychology has been saying that we should take a breath before reacting for a few decades now, but the Bible has been saying it for many Centuries.

 

Most of our anger comes from a point of self control than logic. When we are told that we have to do something, or it doesn’t go the way we want, then we get mad. That’s not Biblical because everything that we do is ordained, and controlled by God. So if we get angry because we lose control, then what we’re really doing is getting mad at God because we don’t think His way is good enough for us. This is why we see so many cases of tragedy throughout the Bible, because people didn’t have faith in God’s way, and got angry.

 

Avoid anger at all costs, it only produces sin. Make sure that you don’t fly off the handle when you feel that urge to react angrily. As soon as you feel it, walk away, pray on it, and by that time, you will give a more Godly response. A Godly response will be much more peaceful.