Blockheaded

Blockheaded
Words of Faith 7-26-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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2 Timothy 2
[23] Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because you know they produce quarrels. [24] And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. [25] 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, [26] 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.

This is powerful advice for everyone but especially for a pastor. Timothy would surely deal with many difficult situations. People often come to a pastor or leader to try and get them to take their side in a dispute. This will happen with anyone who is developing as a Christian leader. Paul's advice? Don't have anything to do with it.
Most arguments people bring are not focused on the Kingdom of God or the advance of the Gospel. We sometimes joke that more churches have split over the color of the new carpet than any serious matter of biblical faith. Humans can entangle themselves in the smallest of issues and, in doing so, miss the greatness of the Gospel. Paul says for us not to have anything to do with such foolish and stupid (yes, he said stupid) arguments. The Greek means "blockheaded" and "uninstructed." We get the point. These things only produce quarrels.
So what does one do when confronted by blockheaded or uninstructed arguments or people? The alternative Paul proposed for the Christian leader, or pastor is first choosing not to quarrel. It is a choice. I have often observed that certain situations represent a "glue trap" like the ones we set out for varmints. Once you engage in a quarrel, you will never get loose. You are not going to "win" even if you win.
Paul says: Be kind to everyone. Teach with ability. And don't be resentful. Frankly, that is a tall order. The pastors I have admired most in life were not necessarily the ones with a fiery tongue and a quick retort who gained applause from punchline preaching. The pastors I have respected the most were those who would always listen, keep their cool, and express kindness even toward people with whom they disagreed. One of the lessons I learned early in my ministry was that at the end of the day a person that has opposed me will still need a pastor. And I will need to be that pastor.
One of the sobering truths about ministry and life, in general, is that you never know when the next funeral will be. As a pastor, I must find the right words and thoughts on that occasion. I also don't want to leave things relationally broken with one of God's sheep if I have preached the last message they will hear.
So is Paul saying we are to be Christian pushovers? That would not be like Paul at all. He says we must be careful what we engage in. Stay away from the stupid stuff, and don't be resentful toward those who oppose you. But still, the leader or pastor must gently instruct. The leader or pastor must not lose hope that an errant believer will come to repentance leading them back to the knowledge of the truth.
In those serious situations where a person has wandered from the truth, we must pray that they will "come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." Does that mean that your opponents are "the devil?" No, but they sure might be used by him to divide the flock of God.

Father, give me eyes to see and ears to hear what is really important in Your Kingdom. Keep me clear of those arguments that are empty-headed or uninstructed. When some oppose me, help me to speak the truth in love and not be resentful. Keep me focused on teaching the truth and instructing gently. Keep me in prayer for those who have wandered from the truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.