Daily Devotions
How to Argue
Title: How to Argue
Reading for May 18: Ezra 1-4
Weekly reading for May 13-19: Acts 11-15
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them...
Acts 15:6-7
Years ago, arguments in Bible studies at church were more common than today. These arguments were sometimes ugly. People didn't always behave as they should. Nevertheless, heated discussions would often come up, and that was not always a bad thing. Why I say that is because many of these arguments arose out of deep concern brethren had for the truth.
Arguments are not always a bad thing. When a team is passionate about winning, practice can get intense. When business partners are passionate about achieving excellence, disagreements can be heated. And when students of God's Word are sincerely concerned about truth, it can (and will necessarily) lead to vigorous debate.
Some rules to follow when a disagreement arises in Bible study:
1. Keep an open mind. You may learn something. Listen and try to understand where the other side is coming from.
2. Keep self out of it. Don't make it personal. Your primary concern is not winning the argument. You want the truth. That's all.
3. When the debate is over shake hands. Engage the opposition after the study and make sure there are no hard feelings. "Endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)
Father, all we want to do is to do your will. Give us a love of the truth that will motivate us to discuss (and even argue) with humility and an open mind.
