I have been reading through many threads here and have posted to a couple.
My witness while reading in these threads has been very disapointing. I find many here stiving with one another in heated debate.
Was Jesus an example of pride or meekness? Did Jesus go about stiving with those that did not agree with him?
NO. Jesus went about teaching the WORDS the father gave him.
John 12:49-50 (KJV)
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
My heart is very heavy, and filled with sorrow. So many claim to be a Christian but do not follow after Christs example.
I do not come to judge or accuse any here. I come here directed by God to bring a message, and I would like to share what God has put on my heart tonight.
I did not want to approach this subject, because of the heaviness it has brought to my heart.
Let us begin with what God has to say here tonight.
2 Timothy 2:14 (KJV)
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
What does it mean to strive with someone?
STRIVE, v.i.
3. To contend; to contest; to struggle in opposition to another; to be in contention or dispute; followed by against or with before the person or thing opposed;
As we strive about matters with another here we are subverting many a minds of others coming into these threads and reading through the strife going on.
SUBVERT', v.t. [L. subverto; sub and verto, to turn.]
1. To overthrow from the foundation; to overturn; to ruin utterly.
2. To corrupt; to confound; to pervert the mind, and turn it from the truth. 2 Tim.2.
Do we really want to subvert the hearts and minds of babes in Christ?
I think not. Our LORD will not hold us guiltless in this matter and we clearly see by God's word how he feels about this matter.
2 Timothy 2:22-26 (KJV)
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
We see in 2 Timothy 2:24 " the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men,"
Is all the back biting I have witnessed gentle? NO!
Romans 1:28-32 (KJV)
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
In Romans 1:28-32 we read that God clearly states that those full of debate, and backbiters "are worthy of death". Is this the side of God we want to be on. I think not!
Galatians 5:15-21 (KJV)
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
We see in Galatians 5:15 God said "if ye bite and devour one another, take heed"
Starting in verse 19 we see the works of the flesh manifest. Strife being one of them. Then in verse 21 we see a warning from God; "that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
1 John 2:16 (KJV)
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Proverbs 21:23 (KJV)
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
1 Timothy 6:3-5 (KJV)
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1 Peter 3:8-11 (KJV)
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
I pray everyone on this forum will take to heart what God has to say in all matters.
Here is the key: Not about words to NO PROFIT. This really shines much light on the passage when read rightly.
To no profit - to no advantage, to no truth, to no edification, etc.
It's very easy to impose our own understanding into Scripture. It's another to have eyes to see what the Spirit is saying in such a passage. This verse in particular is not a prohibition against strife. It is a prohibition against unprofitable strife.
As a side note- I believe that there are several folks working to get to the root of this issue and correct it. So, be encouraged.
God did not call me to address this matter by naming names. All involved in this stife and backbiting know who they are, as they will be pricked in there heart feeling this message was directed at them.
This is how God works.
When a person goes to church and the preacher is preaching on a subject and they find themselves feeling as though he is directing the message at them. This is God's doing. Pricking the hearts of those who need to be admonished in a matter.
Here is an example of what God does.
The other day I made an off-handed comment to a coworker before thinking about what I said, and him not understanding where I was coming from with such a statement. As soon as I made the statement God came and pricked my heart on the matter. I wanted to find a hole to crawl into and cry when God showed me what I had done. Then I had to go and tell this coworker how sorry I was, and how wrong it was and why I made the comment. All the while fighting back tears.
I felt like dirt that day.
This is a man I have been trying to reach for Christ.
