… and refute those who oppose it.
Summary: Who has the authority to decide what is right? Who is able to refute those who oppose the Word of God? I will tell you who it is not: It is not the one who yells and bullies others into submission.
In yesterday’s meditation, we talked about the meaning of “sound doctrine.” Actually, it was more of a rant about people who smoosh their interpretations of Scripture into the words and end up with something that was never intended by the author. Of course, when we go far enough down that road, we get to a place where we have to ask: Who is qualified to decide what the Word means?
In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were the authorities from a human perspective. From God’s perspective, they were the ones assigned to take care of God’s vineyard until he should return. (Matthew 21: 33-46) Jesus is the vineyard owner’s son. He has come to make his father’s claim for the fruit that is due to him. The Pharisees, as depicted in the parable, want it all for themselves and so they act out in real-time the summation of the parable:
“But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.” (Matthew 21: 38-39)
It is much the same today.
From a human perspective, there is no one left who appears to have a legitimate claim to authority. That does not mean that there is a shortage of people willing to make that claim! Sadly, there are all too many. And so we are left to wonder; what did Paul mean by “refute those who oppose it?”
I don’t think he meant that we should yell at each other and bully people into submission. Such behavior would fly in the face of Jesus’ instructions. (See Matthew 5-7) Instead, I suspect that Paul’s idea of refuting those who oppose God’s message relies solely on God’s authority and power. Paul clarifies this thought in his second letter to Timothy, where he writes:
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, 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 2:23-26)
Application: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
Food for Thought: How do you imagine Paul approached this problem personally? How did he refute those who opposed sound doctrine?
I like to address this issue of refuting sound doctrine not only using the apostle Paul’s writing but also using the uniform examples of the biblical writers and characters throughout scripture.
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Samuel, Hannah, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Ezra, Nehemiah, righteous Kings, all of the O. T. prophets; as well as John the Baptist, N.T. gospel writers, and epistle writers Paul, Peter, James, John, Jude all rebuke those who oppose God, are against His people, distort or misrepresent His Word, or give false teaching, or try to mislead or harm God’s people, or distort His will for them, or fail to completely honor the Lord in any manner.
This is a defining issue. The world, it’s system, false teachers, and evil doers, active unbelievers who oppose God’s Name, Word, and will will not be permitted to spread untruths about God, His Word, or mislead His people without being corrected, challenged, instructed, and rebuked, including many times in in rather vigorous fashion.
The foremost, and ultimate example of this is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. However, before I list some of the things He said let me mention John the Baptist who used the term “You brood of vipers” and “Repent”. Jesus called these sorts of people “blind guides” who lead their followers to fall into a ditch, “whitewashed graves” (completely spiritually dead), he named them as full of greed and wickedness, referred to them as total hypocrites, pronounced constant Woes on them, mentioning they are on the path to Hades and He’ll. referred to them as Sons of their father the devil, Satan, who is a liar, and the father of lies. They hate, are murderer in their hearts, stand totally condemned, and are destined for the Lake of fire. He is not amused by them, does not tolerate their words or deeds, and fully states they must change their minds, hearts, direction, and deeds to be accepted by God.
These individuals are blinded, and held captive by Satan. They serve him whether they are conscious of this or not.
We can try to be gentle, kind, and winsome but make no mistake mist of the time those who are fully dedicated to selfishness, and oppose God will not repent and will try to malign the true servants of God. They will persecute them, hate what they stand for, despise them ridicule them ect.
A cancel culture, a desire to socially ostracize, force into silence, not allow their views to be heard but rater condemned as hate speech. Falsely condemn, as racist, homophobic, trans-phobic, gender insensitive and so on. Anti- choice and hateful are common terms used by those who wish to give voice to God’s Word, proclaim His gospel, and give loving service to all. Woe to those who call evil good, and celebrate and promote that which is evil as something good and virtuous.
It is already the case, that Christians who are simply revealed as such in many parts of the world are hurt, fired, physically and emotionally abused, imprisoned, and executed. I expect this to spread and increase in cultures which become less tolerant of religious freedom, free speech, and refuse to honor, thank, or exalt the Lord. It is as if the truth prices these people’s consciences. They do not want anything to remind them that the path which they have chosen may not be the correct one.
It is only by God’s grace, our prayers, his wisdom, counsel, and being extremely circumspect that we may continue to both obey the Lord, as well as not compromise our testimony. The days may come when much more severe consequences and persecution await those who represent the Lord. Thanks be to God for His Sovereign protection.
Hopefully we do not run from these Jezebel type, or Herod type, individuals unless instructed by the Lord to go to another place.
I also note that when the admonished in scripture is given to Christians about something the tone and technique may vary quite dramatically depending upon the heart, and genuine intentions of those who need godly counsel. It is amazing how God’s prescriptions as to how to deal with various individuals, problems, circumstances, and situations are just as relevant today as when they were written years ago. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This is an amazing comfort to start a brand New Year.
Happy New Year’s everyone!
There are times I would like to fire Samsung keyboard for changing what I have written. I proof read, and yet it seems to change my punctuation, words, or spelling. I may need to resort to Microsoft Word or another device than my phone to correct this issue. I do apologize and I trust the text as posted still basically communicates my thoughts.
Thanks for your anticipated grace and understanding, though it is likely completely undeserved.
Jeff,
Happy New Year! I think your original comment reads well. Don’t be too hard on your keyboard! 🙂
Thank you for your devotion. And a most blessed New Year everyone.
The word for refute can also mean to convict or rebuke those opposed to sound doctrine. We see Paul doing that frequently in his letters. Especially in the letters of Galatians and 1 and 2 Corinthians.
We should be lovingly bold in defending the gospel. At least that is how I see Paul doing so in the letters just mentioned. The point is not to win an argument, but to free a person. Galatians 6: 1. Restoration was always Paul’s goal. 2 Corinthians 2: 5 – 8.
We should be lovingly bold with the goal of restoration for the believer and the goal of repentance that leads to life for the unbeliever. To the unbeliever, Peter said something similar (1 Peter 3: 15 – 16. Paul’s version of this statement can be seen in Colossians 4: 5 – 6.
Thank you, Rich!
I appreciate the emphasis on being “lovingly bold.”
I don’t why, but I have an impression that Paul refuted people at the same level they refute his stance. Being patiently gentle to those who are weak, and being lovingly bold to those who are more vocal.
I may not be on solid ground here….perhaps interjecting my own voice to God’s passages regarding Paul. Anyways, I think dropping a nuclear biblical bomb on those with opposing views is not fruitful.
And I don’t think Jeff Hansen’s keyboard likes him…
Happy new year!
Happy New Year to you, too, my friend!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! Blessings!
I totally agree that being gentle, loving, and as non-confrontational when possible is the way to go when possible.
However wasting your voice and time on those who have a personal history of renting asunder or persecuting people for their faith may not be wise. We should not cast pearls before swine, and the gospel is a the ultimate Pearl of God’s wisdom or Pearl of of great value. We also should not answer certain kinds of foolish arguments according to their folly if we want to promote the greatest peace and harmony. There is a wise time for everything. Some individuals just need prayers for a time until perhaps an appropriate comment, word, act of service, or gracious thought which seeks common ground is appropriate.
At times it is best to be silent, not waste time, or energy, until the Lord has had the opportunity to work and perhaps create a more fertile ground or new receptivity in their lives which might be more conducive to planting seed.
This avoids being quarrelsome or being in attack mode with others.
Jesus was able to look directly into mens hearts and understand their motives and thoughts. I cannot. He may have told certain people in a very loving manner what judgment awaits the current path someone us on if they continue to pursue this path, and continue on it.
I would personally be aware that this is very seldom a productive strategy. It may lead to being crucified (literally or metaphorically). Sometimes, prayers, patience, and waiting for an appropriate opportunity are best.
Speaking an inappropriate word can further harden an individual. Most of the time people need to hear the music of the gospel, understand that you are listening, and care about the personally, as well as their concerns and common ground touch points.
In a general sense being lovingly bold is a good strategy if an individual situation warrants it.
When Paul, Peter, or Jesus spoke they were at the time more concerned with the corporate welfare of the body, protecting the weak in the body from being mislead, or other consequences which would result from being silent.
I think it is important to separate what leadership in the body may be called upon to say in a public setting from individual relationship building, appropriate timing, and a wise use of a harvest vehicle, or a personal sharing of the gospel or a word of testimony.
Premature sharing of information may lead to a hardening of someone’s heart. Allowing God to work, and waiting for love, common ground, and a time to sow may be appropriate.
Sometimes probing questions can draw someone out and reveal if the time is right for sharing an opportune truth.
If what I wrote previously seems different than what I am writing now, the two different sounding views are not in conflict, they just are shared at different times to provoke thought, understanding, and growth in both my life and the lives of others.
I really enjoy reading all of the comments from everyone.
Be Blessed and have a Happy New Year.
I think that is a great point Rob. When someone was hurting or distraught, I think we see Paul as a nurturer and comforter. For example: 1 Thessalonians 2: 7 – 8.
How do you imagine Paul approached this problem personally? How did he refute those who opposed sound doctrine?
I discovered I could not properly express what Paul has written to Timothy, so I have done my best to allow His words to speak what I believe regarding this subject. 1.) Scripture and the un-godly, 2.) Personal growth, 3.) Witnessing to others, 4.) honoring our Teachers.
All Scripture is inspired by God, profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness!
SOUND DOCTRINE IS OPPOSED BY the lawless and rebellious people, the ungodly and sinful, the irreverent and profane, everything which is contrary to sound teaching. Paul urges us, to keep our eye on those who cause dissension and hindrances contrary to the teachings we learn, turn away from them. Be strengthened by grace, spiritual food, not physical foods with no benefit. Avoid everything that does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to Godliness,
Pay close attention to ourselves and our teaching; focus and grow in being a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on words of the faith and sound doctrine, pointing out these things to all brothers. Follow Godly teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, continue in the things we learn and become convinced of, know they come from God. Show all people good faith so that they will praise, glorify the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. Practice the things we learn, receive, hear and see in Gods Word, and the God of peace will be with us.
Retain the standard of sound words which we have learned in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Give priority to the public expression of Scripture, to exhort and teach others. As we do this we will secure salvation both for ourselves and for those who hear us. Do not wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin. Teach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified.
Honor the elders who rule well, working hard at preaching and teaching, slaves and masters who know they are brothers in Christ. For the time will come when People will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.
Today we are seeing a separation of beliefs falsly being called conservative capitalism vs progressive socialism, when it is in reality Good vs pure evil in every way. I have moved from a high level of frustration and anger, TO a position of total peace from God as I have fully accepted His Sovereignty in all things. Whatever happens, Christians win. If we pass on, we are with Christ, if we remain here we have a huge, confused mission field right outside our doors. They are uninformed, confused people, loved by God. Avoid the leadership and focus on loving the lost.
1 Timothy 1:10, 4:6, 4:13, 4:16, 6:3, 2 Timothy 1:13, 2:14, 3:10,14,16, 4:2-3
Brother Jeff,
Once again you have surpassed ALL EXPECTATIONS.
Keep up the great work.
Blessings,
Ron
Ron,
Thank you, brother! Of course, now I am wondering what the expectations are!! 🙂