BY Hayley Morgan
Text: Titus 3:9-11
You know the people who yap endlessly about things that don’t really matter? They bicker back and forth about issues that do not have a lot of weight in the grand scheme of things. Do you ever find yourself participating? Titus makes sure we know how off-base those people are, and it’s probably wise that we check our hearts and motives in our desire to pursue controversy.
In my own life, I know that I often seek out controversy and dissent when I’m bored. When I feel like my own life isn’t interesting enough or there isn’t enough new information coming at me, I can seek out entertainment in latest article or most recent Christian issue going around Facebook. It’s entirely likely that I’ll immediately look for the rebuttal article as well, because what is an argument without two sides? There must be some biological “quick hit” that comes from engaging in this kind of back-and-forth, or even just following it from the sidelines like me.
I think sometimes arguing a point makes us feel we are doing important work, and maybe sometimes we are. But, the majority of the time when I’m apt to do so, it’s because my mind is idle and my hands aren’t busy actively loving and serving others. Are we making a big deal out of grey areas because we’d rather debate in the intellectual sphere than engage and serve in the physical one?
When I find over and over again that someone is contentious and loves the drama of an argument, I tend not to take them very seriously anymore. And, interestingly, that’s what Paul tells us to do. Go to them the first time, and then after that let it go and avoid them. Don’t waste your words on arguments that don’t ultimately matter.
Does this convict you like it does me? It pushes me to see how Scripture is working itself out in the lives of those in my community. It makes me long to use Truth to build others up rather than use my pride to tear them down.
I don’t want to have heady debates more than I have heart-to-hearts.
I don’t want to convince more than I pursue.
I don’t want to love my opinions more than my neighbor.
Lord, make us more like you. Amen.
91 thoughts on "wasted words"
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This changes my perspective on fights with my husband over little things that don’t matter. Next time a fight occurs, I want to do a self-check to see if I am loving him and serving him to the best of my ability.
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Thank you God that you give truth and wisdom from your word that we see fleshing itself out here and now. May I be ever aware that your words will always stand when mans fall away!
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Reading this today and it’s so applicable with all the drama of the election. As christians we cannot forget what’s important. So many people including christians are tearing each other apart because of an election. I’m sending this devotional to all my friends it’s a message we need to hear loud and clear.
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Wow! Even though it seems by the comments that I’m reading this a year late, it absolutely applies to this week. The SCOTUS just decided to redefine marriage and all over the Internet there are people feeling as though they need to be heard. However, I wonder if their opinions would scream so loudly if sitting across the table from a real, live person living this different lifestyle. I know this is a major issue to many in the church, but as Paul said here, let us not care more about our opinions than loving the people Christ called us to love.
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Thank you for these words today!!!! Reflective of Jesus and how he touched and healed people!!! Truth to build up! May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you my rock and my Redeemer.
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To be found isn’t as beautiful if I’m not willing to admit I was lost….I understand my sin nature was washed clean the very moment I accepted Jesus into my heart-HALLELJUAH!!! Thank you Lord for accepting me and all sins to show others the way to you!! Have a blessed day Sisters!!
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