2 Timothy 2:23-26 says,...

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 2:23-26, which read, 

v.23 - But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.

Paul is instructing Timothy from his cold dark dungeon cell in Rome to cleanse himself from "these things."  The first was youthful lusts and now it is foolish and ignorant speculations.  This is the third time that Paul has spoken to Timothy about resorting to arguing with the false teachers.  The point is that it just leads to more quarrels.  If we get stuck on a discussion if Adam and Eve had belly buttons then we are not talking about a God who sent His One and only Son to die on the cross for our redemption.  What should the servant of God do rather than quarrel?  Paul answers that in the following verses.

v.24-26 - The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Here is another list from Paul to Timothy.

• not quarrelsome - A direct command not to be someone who argues all the time.  It usually becomes your characteristic that people associate with you and therefore avoid you.
• be kind to all - Rather than quarrel use the energy to extend yourself to the others with graciousness in your actions and words.
• able to teach - You will never win them over with a quarrel but if you are able to teach them, not quarrel with them, in a kind way then you might make some headway.  To teach is to go beyond the three word sound bytes that we fall back on.  To teach is to know the subject from many angles and convey a fuller answer to others.  You need to keep your composure if you are going to teach.
• patient when wronged - Don't fire right back at them.  Grace is to be given by you for them to see the error before you so obviously point it out to them.  Something can happen if we don't respond the same way that we have been responded to.
• with gentleness correcting - We hold to the truth and teach the truth so if there is a wrong then we are going to address it with love.  Actually, the love will not let us not address the issue.  It would be unloving to not bring it up.  Paul is not telling Timothy to get walked over by others but rather to continue to come at it God's way. 

Why do we respond this way?  Is it to be superior to how they are responding?  No, it is for the purpose to possibly see God change their lives around.  We usually are not thinking of this when attacked or baited to get into some heated argument that becomes a character assassination on you.  We just want to get back at them.  We are usually not thinking about their soul before God and who they are following after.

Could we have compassion on them in the heat of the moment to know of a God who loves them and a Satan who has them engulfed in his evil schemes?  Could we keep focus on God's ways to handle this so that they would see and hear God through us to help and not hinder them from hearing God's voice calling them?

Keep the condition of their souls ever before you.  Paul is speaking from so much experience of being one of those false teachers who was turned around by God.  "Timothy, there might be another me in front of you and quarreling with them that leads to harm will not help.  They need to see another coming out of you even when attacked, Jesus."  Let's pray. 

"Lord, how hard this is to see their souls when they are attacking not just what I believe but me as a person.  It is hard to give grace and keep on point to teach rather than quarrel.  We all need to come to our senses about where we are spiritually in our relationship to You.  May I not help Satan with my actions in return but loosen the knots he has around them by following Your instruction and Your words.  May we see them come to Your side by Your grace.  Amen." 

Pastor Adam