NO ONE ARGUES SOMEONE IN TO HEAVEN!

 

I cannot think of the last time I got into an argument. As I was reading 2 Timothy this morning it got me thinking about arguments. There might have been a time in my life, where I was really up for a fight, verbally. Being short and rather small in stature, I was always smart enough to know the only fighting for me was with words and not with this "puny" body! LOL! As I was thinking this morning I could not come up with the last time I got into an argument with someone. All I could come up with was SOCIAL MEDIA ARGUMENTS. I do know the last time I got into one of THOSE WAR OF WORDS. 

Prior to NOVEMBER of 2016, my social media posts did not look much different than the average adult. Yes, I have always posted dumb jokes. I love them because my daughters and grandkids hate them. HAHA! But, the majority of my posts were POLITICAL type posts, very opinionated and frankly, I was always looking for a GOOD FIGHT. It is embarrassing to think about it now. Then when DONALD TRUMP won the election in 2016, out of nowhere, I was convicted by the HOLY SPIRIT with a clear message. 

"Stop POSTING POLITICAL and ARGUMENTATIVE content on SOCIAL MEDIA!"

It was THAT CLEAR. 

I realized my social media posts were keeping me from sharing JESUS with half of our country. If my assignment from JESUS is to go into all the world and make disciples was I just going to give up on HALF the people in our country because of politics? These verses in 2 Timothy say it all:

"Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants." (2 Timothy 2:23-26, NLT)

I can never remember a time when I was arguing with someone, either verbally or through social media, where I changed anyone's mind or heart. 

NEVER! 

So what is the purpose of ARGUING? GOD is the only one that can CHANGE MINDS AND HEARTS. My goal, through the Great Commission is not to change minds. I am called to LOVE, be kind, teach, and be patient with difficult people. I am called to GENTLY INSTRUCT and PRAY that God will change people's hearts. I am focused on SPREADING the GOOD NEWS, God's plan of SALVATION. All the other stuff is meaningless. 

AND if you are easily PROVOKED to ARGUMENTS, avoid those TRIGGERS. I think that is exactly what Paul was telling Timothy in this passage:

"If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." (2 Timothy 2:21-22, NLT)

Let's  pursue people with love, joy, peace, and self-control so that we might WIN SOME to the LORD. But that only happens through the power of our FATHER in HEAVEN changing hearts. We certainly can NOT win them over with an argument. NO ONE ARGUES SOMEONE IN TO HEAVEN!