OBJECTIONS #9; No Arguing, No Debating.

This objection sounds like this; “Christians aren’t supposed to argue or debate. “Do all things without protests and arguments; [Phil 2:14](BBE)”

While it certainly is true that we’re not to argue over vain things, [1Tim 6:20] it is NOT true that we’re not to debate or ‘contend’ for the faith [Jude 1:3].

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” [2Tim 2:24-26]

We do need to be careful, for if we continue to push, they’ll redirect their objection toward you saying, “You’re ARROGANT, or unloving.

What we must recognize is they’ve REACHED the end of their ability to defend their error. When a person is still resistant but no longer has a defense, they become embarrassed & or angry. Otherwise they would continue talking. They’re stopping you because they’ve GOTTEN you on a technicality.

There are a few things that may be going on. They may be UNINTERESTED in the truth [2Thess 2:10-12]. They might be UNCERTAIN but not ready, like Festus [Acts 26:24]. Maybe they’re UNCONVINCED [Acts 26:28]. In any case, be careful, they may become UNHINGED [Acts 7:54].

The gospel always works in inducing an EMOTIONAL response. It could be anger, apathy or acceptance in Godly sorrow. So, what do we do when it’s turning towards anger? Hear this Proverb…

“A soft answer turneth away wrath:” [Prov 15:1]

Here are 4 steps to gving a SOFT answer:

STAY calm & don’t respond in kind. Never allow yourself to get angry or upset at any objection. Never allow a conversation to escalate into an emotional argument. We must always stay on the essential topics and not argue ‘vain babblings.’ “… be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” [Jas 1:19].

Stop talking, no longer OPEN your mouth with new information. It’s clear they want to stop. Let them alone. [Mat 15:14].

A huge part of evangelism is patience & FORBEARANCE. To endure the continual barrage of rejections. But we must remember, they’re not necessarily rejecting you, they’re ultimately rejecting God [1Sam 8:7].

Lastly, TAKE off your shoes and shake the dust off (figuratively speaking). When the disciples were rejected, Jesus told them to shake the dust off their feet. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” [Mat 10:14] Don’t take it personally nor let rejection prevent you from spreading the gospel to others. Some will, some won’t, so what, keep trying. We keep trying because…

“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;” 2Cor 5:11

–Spencer