Arguing Over Doctrine Might Be the Most Edifying Activity in Your Church!

Unfortunately, I find myself in the middle of yet another battle over wrong doctrine.

I am yet again contemplating never setting foot in a church again. It would take care of the problem in one way: I’d be blissfully ignorant of all church problems. At the same time, those churches would still have problems.

Running away and abandoning the church sure sounds like it would be lovely. I know some who have done it. Half have gone crazy into very strange doctrine, and the other half are busy justifying themselves by convincing me to do the same, not quite confident enough to actually go it alone, they must convince others to be alone with them.

I’m coming to consider whether all the battling over error in the church isn’t actually the thing that edifies us.

Simple truth should edify us, but since truth is apparently hard to keep hold of, battling error seems to pick up the slack in the edification department. Few things have gotten me to examine Scripture more than checking doctrines that sound off. Some aren’t, and boy howdy, some sure are.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:19 that “there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” The presence of divisions over error is how we see who is legit.

Perhaps the way to advance in truth is by one step after another in combatting error. No conflict with error; no advance in truth. Churches who maintain happy outward unity are often the places with the shallowest doctrine.

I don’t like arguing. I avoid it as much as possible. I am by no means a people pleaser though. I will argue if I have to, and hopefully that is when the truth is under fire. However, just because I don’t agree with someone doesn’t mean they are in error. Sometimes I forget that. I’ve been wrong too.

Often it’s through disagreeing with people that truth can be seen. The truth will prevail, either through argument or through the test of time and observing fruit.

Would life be easier if I avoided church? Probably. Life might even be easier for churches if I avoided them!

The truth is worth fighting for. Everything within me wants to run away, just quietly slip into the fog and never be seen again. It’s just me and Elijah, the only ones left, and Elijah is dead.

But Elijah got rebuked for running from the fight. Jonah got swallowed by a big fish for running from the fight. Part of the fight of faith is contending for the truth.

Ezekiel says you at least give the warning. If they don’t listen, that’s on them, but if you fail to warn, that’s on you.

Humility is necessary. Knowledge puffs up. I have to examine myself at all times lest I also be tempted. Arguing with people can push you into more and more extreme beliefs.

If all you do is argue with Christians, you’re probably doing it wrong. If you never argue with Christians you’re probably doing it wrong. You have to fight at some point, and it’s a fight worth fighting. Holding others accountable. Iron sharpening iron.

Because the more we do this the right way, the more we will be held accountable and the more we will be sharpened.

Unfortunately, we bring emotions and feelings in and really make a mess of things.

Truth strikes me as being pretty calm. Oh, there are times to be emotional, Jesus and Paul both demonstrated that. But we have to be careful. One of the best ways to check how emotional you are is to see how well you’re listening to the other person. Emotions make deaf ears.

In the end, we live in a fallen world. In the new heavens and new earth, no one will have to be taught about the Lord because everyone will know Him.

I cannot wait for that day! To know Him and be surrounded by everyone else who knows Him. Until then, phew, it’s tough. People are pretty sloppy with Scripture and put a lot of other things in places of authority besides Jesus Christ and His Word.

Do we quit? Do we give up? You can, guess I can’t stop you, but I’ve found it’s in those moments of conflict, of contending, of working through doctrinal disagreements, that the most growth and reliance on God occurs.

I pray this is true for you. I pray it’s true for me. I pray for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because I am getting tired.

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