Carefully Choose Your Battles
Carefully Choose Your Battles
I was advised many years ago by a fellow pastor to not major in the minors when it came to church ministry, and to not use the pulpit to create unnecessary division. Another friend said, “Choose your battles wisely.”
At the time, I was youth pastoring in Gadsden, Alabama. A local radio station gave free air time to pastors who wished to debate controversial issues. Every Monday morning two ministers, previously scheduled, became openly combative with one another. I detested it, and refused to participate.
Nothing good ever comes from God’s people engaging in such tomfoolery. This gospel is too wonderful to argue about. In my opinion, unbelievers do not need to hear us fight but rather avoid those hotbed issues that are of a non-essential nature. One particular Monday, a Pentecostal and a Baptist debated the validity of tongues in today’s world. Their argument grew fierce and unkind. The whole debacle brought reproach on the gospel! People from the community called in with questions, and the whole ordeal got out of control. Churches in the community became divisive toward each other. This is a Gospel of love!
Is there ever a time to defend the faith and what we believe to be true? Of course! However, there is a right place and a right way to accomplish these objectives. May God grant us wisdom to know the differences!
I’ve noticed that some Christians – pastors included – love a good argument. They love to debate. They love to prove someone else wrong. They love the “fight to be right.” The problem is that few, if any, have the ability to argue without becoming angry and hurtful. This brings contempt upon the Gospel. Many participate in spiritual boxing matches, believing they are contending for the faith. God’s Word is too precious to reduce to a knock-down, drag-out experience.
Those who engage in spiritual boxing matches come with their arsenal of scriptures ready to serve as billy clubs. It often gets out of hand. Those same believers feel it their place to express disagreement regarding specific scriptures, forgetting that we are all at a different place and perspective in our walk. There’s a difference between a mentor or being a menace.
While I also hold strong personal opinions about what I believe, I have come to understand that unless the Scriptures are ironclad clear on a given topic, I’m better off assigning them to a non-essential category. If the matter at hand is not a salvation issue, then I feel it wise to concede any harsh stances. Like you, I will not negotiate on the essentials (For example: Jesus is the Son of God, and the only way to heaven). However, if you want to debate whether He had brown eyes or blue, it doesn’t matter!
What other topics do I refuse to debate? Here are a few:
- The Rapture (pre-mid-post tribulation)
- Bible translations (KJV only!)
- The Trinity
- Women preachers (pastors)
- Spiritual gifts
- The shape of the world
- Creation theories
- Signs, wonders and miracles
- Jesus and political parties
- Modern day prophets
I know!
Instead of wasting precious time creating division and causing others frustration, let’s tell somebody about the life-changing power of Jesus! Tell someone how He has made a difference in your life.