THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Lord, You see how our society is divided, with one group battling another group that is battling yet another group. On and on it goes. Talk radio becomes shout radio. Cable news channels are often verbal free-for-alls.  Most arguments spring from a real or perceived slight or disrespect about a point of view. Ethic and integrity? Meh. Their objective isn’t to just prove someone is wrong, but the goal is to cancel them and turn them into a pariah. Life is stressful enough without continually walking on eggshells so not to upset some people.

History records heated arguments have plagued everyone from time to time, from the early church leaders to the Founding Fathers and especially to our leaders today.  

Certainly, Lord, You were the object of many quarrels concerning who You are and where You came from. The conflicting beliefs of Your deity continues long after Your resurrection and ascension. Paul warned his young protégé Timothy not to get sucked up in senseless arguments.

“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know the produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful”—2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NLT).

When we are confronted by skeptics of the Gospel, or those religious people who only want to stir up trouble among believers, give us the Holy Spirit’s wisdom not to fall for that nonsense. Nothing would thrill Satan more. Instead, as Christ followers, may our conversations be seasoned with grace, so as not to be drawn into any senseless argument that paints a negative picture of You. Let Your peace reign in our words.

In the name of the author of peace, Jesus, Amen.

.