And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
2 Tm.2:24-26
This is an enduring scripture, full of wisdom and practicality. It is sound advice for those trying to teach, stand up for, be examples of and proclaim truth in a world that is surrounded by those who would have nothing better than to stamp it out. Indeed, it is hard to sway the opinion of those who have either chosen to abandon God or refuse to accept that God is something that they should even acknowledge. This passage strives to teach both believers as well as non-believers.
1.) If you are a believer, expect opposition! In that event, you as a believer should not be
- Be kind. Don't stoop to name calling, slurs, innuendos, or acting like people in the world you are trying to teach.
- KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TEACHING! This is part of being able to teach. If you are going to take it upon yourself to teach someone, at least know what you are talking about and preferably be living what you are talking about. No one wants to listen or will listen to a hypocrite.
- Expect insults and hurt. The world isn't going to be nice - so don't expect it.
- Be Gentle. This goes back to being kind, it is a further modifier of that term, giving you the HOW.
- Remember who's doing the changing of the hearts here. All God expects you to do is present and live the truth. He's the one who changes hearts, not you!
2.) KNOW THE REAL SOURCE OF THE OPPOSITION!
- People of the world and its thinking are ensnared by the Devil, with his lies and deceptions. In fact the world has swallowed them hook, line, and sinker!
- It is no coincidence, that in Rev.12:10, that Satan is called the "Accuser of our brethren." All of the opposition against good, radical or not, has one purpose and one purpose alone -- to do anything he can to be able to accuse godly people of wrong so as to smear and/or draw people away from God.
- All of the unseen battles being waged around us every day, is pressure to keep you from doing what is right and acknowledging God. Ephesians 6:12 says, “We are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world”
Satan cannot attack God directly, so he attacks those who follow Him. The advice Paul gave to Timothy in the 1st Century, is good for us to remember today. Stay away from senseless arguments, don't be like the world you are trying to teach, be humble.
How did Jesus treat those who opposed him? “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” The same is true with those who would oppose those who claim to follow God. They don’t know what they’re doing. So, don't be like them! Learn to let God live in you, and be His example. Let Him deal with the world, you live to let His glory be seen in everything you do!
Jim
