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Sermon:
Wrangle
by Chris Cumming
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The name of today's sermon is "Wrangle." The word, "wrangle" is
defined as "to argue or dispute, especially in a noisy or angry manner.
Why do people argue or debate? Should firstfruits argue? What does the
Bible say about argument between brothers/sisters in the faith?
If arguments hurt relationships, how should we be treating each other?
What fruits should be invoked in our relationships with each other?
How should we deal with disputes and misunderstandings especially when
it regards the ministry?
Today we will answer these questions as I encourage all of us to live
peaceably with everyone.
Live peaceably with everyone.
Let us go to the definitive verse that supports this admonition. Turn
to Romans 12:18
Romans 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Let us immerse ourselves into this verse. Notice the commentary:
If it be possible - If it can be done.
This expression implies that it could not always be done. Still it
should be an object of desire; and we should endeavor to obtain it.
As much as lieth in you - This implies
two things:
(1) We are to do our utmost endeavors to preserve peace, and to appease
the anger and malice of others.
(2) we are not to “begin” or to “originate” a quarrel.
So far as “we” are concerned, we are to seek peace. But then it does not
always depend on us. Others may oppose and persecute us; they will hate
religion, and may slander, revile, and otherwise injure us; or they may
commence an assault on our persons or property. For “their” assaults we
are not answerable; but we are answerable for our conduct toward them;
and on no occasion, are we to commence a warfare with them. It may not
be “possible” to prevent their injuring and opposing us; but it is
possible not to begin a contention with them; and “when they” have
commenced a strife, to seek peace, and to evince a Christian spirit.
This command doubtless extends to everything connected with strife; and
means that we are not to “provoke” them to controversy, or to prolong it
when it is commenced; see Psalm 34:14; Matthew 5:9, Matthew 5:39-41;
Hebrews 12:14. If all Christians would follow this command, if they
would never “provoke” to controversy, if they would injure no man by
slander or by unfair dealing, if they would compel none to prosecute
them in law by lack of punctuality in payment of debts or honesty in
business, if they would do nothing to irritate, or to prolong a
controversy when it is commenced, it would put an end to no small part
of the strife that exists in the world.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses:
Psalm 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
The verse says to "pursue it." What does that mean? Notice the
commentary:
Depart from evil - From all evil; from
vice and crime in every form.
And do good - Do good to all people, and
in all the relations of life.
Seek peace - Strive to live in peace with
all the world. Compare Romans 12:18, our definitive verse.
And pursue it - Follow after it. Make it
an object of desire, and put forth constant efforts to live in peace
with all human beings. There can be no doubt that this is appropriate
advice to one who wishes to lengthen out his days. We have only to
remember how many are cut down by indulging in a quarrelsome, litigious,
and contentious spirit - by seeking revenge - by quarrels, duels, wars,
and strife - to see the wisdom of this counsel.
If one is doing this, he will not allow any situation to escalate into
an argument that could result in the destruction of a relationship,
especially among brothers and sisters in the faith.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of
God.
Why would a peacemaker be called a child of God? Notice the commentary:
Children of God - Those who resemble God,
or who manifest a spirit like his. He is the Author of peace [1
Corinthians 14:33]; and all those who endeavor to promote peace are like
him, and are worthy to be called his children.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse for "Children of God":
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches
of the saints.
And now that last two verses quoted in the commentary on Romans 12:18:
Matthew 5:39-41
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall
smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let
him have thy cloke also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Note: the "evil" here is
speaking about a person rather than some negative element. The word,
"resist" is speaking, "Do not repel one outrage by another." Doing so
would make us as negative or evil as he.
Hebrews 12:14
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be
turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall
see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any
root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be
defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one
morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the
blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though
he sought it carefully with tears.
Wow, without diligent striving for peace and holiness, one will not see
the Lord. Further, if we yield to anger, envy, and malice toward
others, we open ourselves to a root of bitterness. We must live
peacefully with everyone.
Let us now look at other scripture linked to Romans 12:18
Romans 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 14:17-19
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost [Spirit].
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and
approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and
things wherewith one may edify another.
We see clearly that we are to strive for peace and anything that edifies
us and others. The word, "edify" means to instruct or benefit,
especially morally or spiritually; to uplift. Another dictionary has it
as "to build up morally or in faith.
Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors
of peace is joy.
In this verse, what is a counsellor of peace? A counselor is one who
counsels or advises others. In this case, we are to be counselers of
peace. To be a counselor of peace, one must be living a peaceful life.
He must be one who exudes peace and invokes it. God is saying that if
we are counselors of peace, we are full of joy in that process.
Mark 9:50
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye
season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
"Have peace one with another." Clearly this is speaking to our
character, our actions and the way we enter into a situation where there
is conflict, disagreement or a misunderstanding.
2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one
mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying
one another.
These five verses have several points for us to share:
1] Peace is a fruit of the Spirit of God.
2] We are to invoke the power of the Holy Spirit.
3] There is no law against peace or us acting in peace and striving
after peace in our daily encounters.
4] We have crucified the negative elements including those of anger and
hatred that are against peace and often destroy relationships.
5] If we live in the Spirit, that is, have the Holy Spirit in us, we
must walk in that Spirit, meaning that we must embrace and invoke the
fruits of that Holy Spirit including peace, gentleness, goodness and
meekness.
6] Desire no negative elements or emotions. Do not allow envy, hatred,
bitterness or jealously to enter our hearts whereby we provoke one
another in debate and argument.
7] Edify one another. Lift them up. Lift them up out of anger.
Ephesians 4:1-6
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy
of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and
meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope
of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in
you all.
Again, we have several points in these six scriptures:
1] God is imploring us with urgency to love the brethren and to respond
to our calling.
2] Invoke lowliness, which is humility of mind. Having a humble mind is
the best way to respond to the anger/attack of another.
3] Invoke meekness which is the opposite to anger and irritability of
disposition.
4] Invoke longsuffering never permitting a trial or provocation to get
to the end of your patience.
5] Endeavor to keep the unity between members of the faith. The word,
"endeavor" here means to exert oneself to do or effect something; to
make an effort; to strive. As a noun, endeavor is defined as, "a
strenuous effort." The word, "strenuous" is defined as, "characterized
by vigorous exertion, as action, efforts, life, etc." The definition
goes on to say that it is a "vigorous, energetic, or zealously active."
6] Endeavoring to keep the bond of peace. For there to be a bond in any
relationship, both individuals must be in full agreement with the
element in question. In this case, that element is peace. Success will
come when both act in peace at that moment of the argument, contention,
or misunderstanding.
7] God even enumerates those common elements of bonding: One hope, one
Lord, one faith and one baptism. By the way, what is the meaning of the
word, "baptism" here? Firstfruits are baptized into the same salvation
process and all the elements thereof. We are bonded together with every
element of God the Father and the Lord, Jesus Christ. Therefore how
could either or both of these individuals allow anger in an argument.
Indeed, how could they allow the argument?
2 Timothy 2:22-23 [see
Lesson]
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity,
peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do
gender strifes.
Notice that God is encouraging us to follow after a number of the fruits
of the Spirit but He says, "with them" meaning your fellow firstfruits
in the faith. In verse 23, what would be included in "foolish and
unlearned questions"? Clearly the verse is speaking to all things under
the heading of false doctrines but would also include arguments based in
a misunderstanding. As you can see, we went into depth on this verse in
our study of 2nd Timothy. Here are some points I gleaned from that
lesson on this concept of foolish and unlearned questions:
1] "The more we follow that which is good, the faster and the further we
shall flee from that which is evil."
2] "The Greek word translated “unlearned,” is better rendered ignorant."
3] "Unadvised and unlearned questions are to be avoided."
4] "The causes of sin once discerned are to be resisted, shunned."
5] "Foolish questions raise contentions. It is a wonder to see what
abundance of ill fruit one branch of fond reasoning hath produced. Like
a bone cast amongst curs, an unlearned question will cause men to snarl,
bite, and quarrel."
6] Greek, “undisciplined”; not tending to promote the discipline of
faith and morals (Proverbs 5:23)
7] The word “unlearned,” here, means “trifling; that which does not tend
to edification; stupid.”
James 3:16-18
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil
work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without
partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make
peace.
Call on the wisdom from God and invoke peace.
One final verse in our list of verses linked to Romans 12:18. This one
speaks to the ministry, as well as the entire congregation and all of
mankind.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-15
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you,
and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be
at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the
feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that
which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
The admonishment to the congregation is to know their ministers and
teachers. You are to constantly prove that they are in close adherence
to scripture. If they are, you are to esteem them in love for the Work
of God's sake. That is, give praise to God for the ministry and the
process of that preaching of truth from the Word of God. Then, in verse
13 God adds that we are to be at peace among ourselves. This would
include the peace between the minister and the congregation.
Let us now explore the practical application of what we have learned so
far, using the example of the minister. According to doctrine, God
inspires the sermon. The minister and the entire church are counting on
the fact that the same Spirit of God that inspires the sermon is in the
firstfruit as he or she listens to that preaching. By the power of the
Holy Spirit, one is able to take in and understand the sermon and later
apply it to their lives. At the same time, every firstfruit is human
and is the product of everything he or she knows, everything they have
studied of spiritual matters and everything they have heard all these
years in the church. That makes each individual unique in this regard.
This means that there will be times when the firstfruit might be
confused or have a question on a point they heard. There could be
instances of the member thinking he heard the minister say something
that did not, in his estimation, conform to scripture or the doctrine of
the church. When this happens, what is that firstfruit to do in the
name of peace, meekness, lowliness and humility? He is to quietly
approach that minister and have him explain that point. In other words,
he is to ask the minister, for example, "Did I hear you to say thus and
such?" That is, he is to ask the minister to state that point again to
make sure he [the member]
heard him correctly.
Clearly the member should not approach the minister where other members
could hear the conversation. My stated admonition was to "quietly
approach" the minister. Ask him to go over that part of the sermon
again. It would be abundantly wrong of the member to go to that
minister with accusation. It would be wrong to put words into the mouth
of the minister. Keep in mind that the member might have misunderstood
what the minister said. Let me use an absurd example. Say a minister
was giving a sermon and a member somehow thought the minister stated
that Satan would be given a second opportunity to repent of all he had
done since his rebellion against God. Such a statement would be
absurd. Indeed, it would be false teaching and not in adherence with
God's Word. It would be, as the Bible says, a damnable lie.
Therefore, the first admonition to the member would be to keep this to
yourself until you get clarity. Second, do not attack the minister with
an accusation. Ask him privately and in all meekness to clarify his
belief and teaching on Satan's fate. In this case, the true minister
would state that Satan's fate is eternity in outer darkness [Jude
13; Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30; GTA booklet, "Satan
- Ultimate Fate and our letter, "What
is the Ultimate Fate of Satan?]
If the firstfruit is acting in peace, he will accept this true statement
and clarification of the minister. It would be wrong for the member to
somehow hold the minister to the statement he "thought" the minister
uttered in the sermon. In fact, unless there was an audio or video tape
of that statement or one or more additional witnesses also stating he
made that statement about Satan, there is no way for the minister to
respond or defend himself. Indeed, the member would be biblical
compelled to take the statement he said in the here and now. It might
even be appropriate here to invoke a Matthew 18 process with witness [step
2 of the process] so it could be established before witnesses
what the minister knows about the fate of Satan.
In all such misunderstandings with ministers or fellow members, go in
peace to that member for clarification. Do not go to him in anger,
bitterness and/or accusation.
Notice some other scriptures:
Philippians 2:14
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
2 Timothy 2:14 [see
Lesson]
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord
that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of
the hearers.
Titus 3:1-2 [see
Lesson]
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all
meekness unto all men.
Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in
transgression.
Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth
his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 18:1-2
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and
intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may
discover itself.
2 Timothy 2:16 [see
Lesson]
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more
ungodliness.
Titus 3:9 [see
Lesson]
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and
strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
1 Timothy 3:2-3 [see
Lesson]
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant,
sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but
patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God
to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Timothy 4:2 [see
Lesson]
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in
transgression.
Proverbs 30:33
Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of
the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth
strife.
Philippians 2:13-18
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without
rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye
shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of
Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your
faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
Proverbs 13:10
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Here are more scriptures that I entitle, “Tips regarding arguing.”
Proverbs 3:30
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger
appeaseth strife.
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the
wicked poureth out evil things.
Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass
over a transgression.
Proverbs 20:3
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be
meddling.
Proverbs 26:17
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is
like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is
sin.
1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in
deed and in truth.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom
of fools.
2 Timothy 2:23-24
[
see Lesson]
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do
gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all
men, apt to teach, patient,
Colossians 3:7-9
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with
his deeds;
Let us close with some quotes on arguments:
"Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute."
"Silence is never more golden than when a quarrel is brewing."
"Arguing isn't communication, it's noise."
"Behind every argument is someone's ignorance."
"People's minds are changed through observation and not through
argument." ~Will Rogers
"We are not won by arguments that we can analyze, but by tone and
temper; by the manner, which is the man himself."
“Why do people always assume that volume will succeed when logic won’t?"
“It is clear that the individual who persecutes a man, his brother,
because he is not of the same opinion, is a monster.”
“You cannot reason people out of a position that they did not reason
themselves into.”
“Arguments cannot be answered by personal abuse; there is no logic in
slander, and falsehood, in the long run, defeats itself.”
"Say what you mean, but don't say it mean."
"How many a dispute could have been deflated into a single paragraph if
the disputants had dared to define their terms."
So go now and live peacefully with everyone.
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