And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. - 2 Timothy 2:24-26
It seems lately that knoweldge and gentleness are becoming mutually exclusive.
Perhaps we, as American Christians, see gentleness as weakness. Maybe we see it only as a personality trait that, if we were not endowed with naturally, shouldn’t worry about. Whatever the reason, it’s something that we have relagated to the “optional” column on our spiritual to-do list. In the meantime, people with a headfull of knowledge feel justified in spouting out truth with little regard for the means by which they do so. After all, aren’t we exempt from this gentleness if we label our opposition “heretics?”
It’s not an easy thing to do in the middle of a heated conversation. But at the very least it’s something that we should be ever endeavoring to do. Unfortunately, we seem to hold on to the idea (at least subconciously) that to be gentle would be to compromise our position. Where did that come from?
I’m not saying I’m free from blame in this area by any means…but, why does this instruction seem to not carry as much weight with some people as the other truths from the Bible they insist be followed? Is it because we are trying to win the argument? Do we associate winning with aggression?
Probably.
I think that as long as you study the Bible, as long as you are trying to defend that which you hold to be truth, you must keep coming back to the passages that dictate the manner in which you are to share that truth. The human condition is too prone to selfishness and pride for us not to.
Our call is not to change the world…ours is to spread the truth. Only God can orchestrate change. Our responsiblilty is to take part in that by teaching the truth in love and gentleness.
“Is it because we are trying to win the argument? Do we associate winning with aggression?”
Very insightful. Were you thinking about this because you were reading that passage or because somehting in particular happened?
Kari
October 11th, 2004
I think it’s just the result of 1) a passage that just kind of stood out to me and 2) the accumulation of conversations that I’ve been a part of, overheard, or read over the years.
brian
October 11th, 2004
Ouch.
That was the sound of the shoe fitting all too well.
the Foolish Sage
October 11th, 2004
My first thought was AYOR.
Great insight.
Roger
October 13th, 2004
ayor? what ever do you mean?
brian
October 13th, 2004