I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
Summary: Some things never change. One of those unchangeable things is the tendency of people to share their ideas about how God works. Unfortunately for them, there is only one right answer: Jesus.
Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, mankind has had a problem. Instead of only being able to “see” God’s will, sin caused their “eyes …[to] be opened” (Genesis 3:5). As a consequence, our “eyes” are opened, too.
Which “eyes” are we talking about? We are not discussing physical eyes because Adam and Eve could already see. We are talking about the inner eye of the mind, the part of our being that takes in information and decides what we will do.
Ironically, the first sin was caused by “find-sounding arguments” from the serpent. These are not thoughts that Adam and Eve would have had themselves. Only when Satan made his way into the Garden did the idea of disobeying God appear.
If they had not listened to the serpent, we would still be in the Garden! But they did. Now, with our inner eyes open to “fine-sounding arguments,” we no longer need a serpent to speak to us. We can make the arguments for ourselves. More importantly, we can share those arguments with others.
It is not hard to imagine that a well-meaning person might mix their traditional beliefs with the new idea of faith in Jesus. After all, Jews had a history going back over two thousand years. That can’t all have been for nothing, right?
Not everyone had Paul’s training, depth of knowledge, or keen mind. Of those who were close to Paul in intellect, they still did not have a personal visit from Jesus. It is easy to see why they would have issues with Paul’s Gospel. This would be true for the Gentile religions as well.
“Fine-sounding arguments” are everywhere. In our modern era schools, universities, TV, and the internet are full of them. Most of us probably know someone personally who believes some version of Christianity that is partly based on them.
What are we to do?
First and most importantly, don’t be deceived by them. The Gospel is simple. It is not complicated. It is not hard to understand. It is all about trusting Jesus.
Second, to the best of your ability, defend the Gospel. Do not allow others to spread lies about God unchallenged.*
Third and equally important as the other reasons, live your faith! Don’t reduce Jesus to an intellectual argument. Love as he did. Live as he did—sacrifice as he did.
Application: Know the Bible.
Food for Thought: What is the best defense against “find-sounding arguments?”
*A note of caution: Matthew 7:1-5 strongly suggests being careful to examine ourselves before we critique someone else. There are approaches to defending the Gospel that are non-confrontational. It is important that our witness to the Gospel should reflect a living example of the Gospel.
What is the best defense against “find-sounding arguments?”
A fist to the face or throat………….. best defense is a better offense……. sorry I forget I’m supposed to use my bible more….. bible to the face or throat. Mine is a hardback! There’s something about two people trying to correct a person. So bring friends with bibles to give the person wisdom knowledge and understanding how to fear God’s word…
Tim, I should have known it was you
Knowing your bible and being able to pull up sound doctrine with context.
lol!
Thanks Tim, for the combat advice!! 🙂
Thanks Tim. Best thing I have heard all week. I needed the laugh. Thank you.
Tim answered the question quite succinctly.
I would add that in my experience people trying to present “fine-sounding arguments” are usually trying to sell something: an idea or a product, of which in some way they will benefit from. The love of God, the love of Christ, the love both have freely given and continue to give, are a gift. There is no way to earn it, it is freely given. Anything that adds to or takes away from that is a deception. The best defense against “fine-sounding arguments is to be rooted and grounded in love. That comes from God, and to us through Christ by faith, humility, prayer, knowing His Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 3:14-19
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Thanks, Chris!
You remind me of the line in “Princess Bride” where Wesley says to Buttercup, “Life is pain, Princess. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something!”
The best defense against fine sounding arguments that are meant to deceive (other than Tim’s excellent advice) is to know truth. The best way to spot a lie is knowing truth. A seasoned bank teller can spot a counterfeit by just touching it. By handling the real thing all the time to can tell a counterfeit bill just by the feel (so I was told by a bank teller friend).
So handle the truth of God’s word regularly and the lie will stick out as what it is: a lie.
*typo alert *By handling the real thing all the time they can tell…
Thanks Rich!
Great example! Because God’s ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9) we can expect a lifetime of getting to know God without ever having to worry about getting bored.
What is the best defense against “find-sounding arguments?”
Don’t be drawn into an argument, simply respond to lies with the truths in God’s Word.
Ephesians 6:17, Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Jesus our example of using Gods sword as He was being tempted by the chief of all sinners, Satan
1.) Matthew 4:3, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Matthew 4:4-4, Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Deuteronomy 8:3
2.) Matthew 4:6:6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Matthew 4:6:7, Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
Deuteronomy 6:16
3.) Matthew 4:8-9, Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Matthew 4:10, Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
Deuteronomy 6:13
Thank you, Ron!
Well said: “… simply respond to lies with the truths in God’s Word.”
Another great question Brother!
Just get out of the way and let Him speak through us. The power of the appropriate truth spoken with true love toward the confused person is why we are here. Tell them the truth and go our way.