Sunday, August 24, 2014 pm
DISCUSSING RELIGION WITH
OTHERS
While there are many who want nothing to do with religion (Atheistic
groups such as “Freedom from Religion Foundation” seek to remove every
reminder of God or religion from public view, etc.), there are others
who ARE willing to discuss their faith and yours.
Such are opportunities that we ought to prepare for and take
advantage of (1 Pet. 3:15, 2 Cor. 5:10-11).
Jesus said, ““Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I
will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies
Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 10:32–33)
In
Acts 17:16 Paul was in Athens and his spirit was provoked at how it was
given over to idols. Paul
found opportunities in the city and discussed the gospel with both Jews
and Greek philosophers. (17:16-34) But how did he do it?
He proclaimed the gospel boldly, but he also did so with a proper
attitude.
It
is that attitude that I want to discuss tonight!
There are some who are well meaning but fail to consider some
Biblical principles that often do more damage than good.
The damage often deals with future opportunities.
We need to boldly proclaim the
whole counsel of God, but it must be “seasoned with salt.” (Col. 4:6)
Jesus said, “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
(Matt. 10:16)
Let
us therefore notices some suggestions as we discuss our faith with
others. Most of the
following I gleaned from some other sources while thinking about this
lesson.
I.
Live it!
It starts with
our example. Matt. 5:13-16 –
we are salt and light. You
best opportunities are going to come from an observation of your proper
conduct.
If you are a hypocrite, inconsistent or only half committed, people will
see that and they will be less likely to consider what you teach because
you are not truly convicted.
Furthermore, your lack of example lessens the chance they can
turn to YOU instead of someone else for spiritual answers.
II.
Select a proper time and place – there are times when a discussion needs to be arranged.
There are circumstances when the time is not right – not enough
time, not enough knowledge, perhaps something has happened where one’s
mind is not in the right place, others present, etc.
You might be in the wrong place to engage in a discussion – while
one is supposed to be working, etc.
Note: This includes realizing that some people are not ready for a
particular discussion (groundwork needs to be laid).
III.
Start with something you agree with – the more common ground you find, the better off you
are. With everyone, except
the atheist, you can find a starting place.
KNOW IT and keep it in mind as you discuss religious issues.
For example: It is pointless to debate the sin of same-sex marriage with
someone who doesn’t understand how to establish authority in scripture.
I think of Philip as he engaged
in discussion with the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:30-40).
Philip began with the passage the proselyte was reading.
He turned that into a meaningful discussion that lead to his
obeying the Gospel.
It is important that we understand this today.
IV.
Seek first to understand, then be understood
–
Proverbs 18:13, “He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is
folly and shame to him.”
The very definition of
prejudice is to pre-judge.
It exists because people react without all the facts.
We need to be informed before we speak (Jas. 5:19).
That is why I emphasize understanding background in studying the
Bible. It helps puts a text in its proper context.
It is equally true when studying with one who differs with you.
ASK questions. When
one makes a statement, clarify what is meant so that you can know where
to start a discussion.
“The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of
the wicked pours forth evil.” (Proverbs 15:28)
V.
Don’t get caught up in foolish arguments.
We need to be careful
WHAT we say and HOW we say it.
There are some who love to argue.
That should not be our goal.
If we have the truth, our goal is to plant the seed of truth and
let it grow in their lives.
We don’t do that by arguing.
As Paul writes to Timothy, he continually admonishes him to avoid
useless arguments -
1 Timothy 1:3-4 “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in
Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor
give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather
than godly edification which is in faith.”
1 Timothy 4:7, “But
reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward
godliness.”
1 Timothy 6:3–5, “If
anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even
the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords
with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with
disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife,
reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds
and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of
gain. From such withdraw yourself.”
2 Timothy 2:14–16, “Remind
them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about
words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present
yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings,
for they will increase to more ungodliness.”
2 Timothy 2:23–24 “But
avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to
teach, patient,”
IN these verses, I find Paul is dealing with both brethren and
unbelievers. Some
might say it is primarily with believers, but if that is the case, then
isn’t there even MORE reason to avoid these things with those you are
discussing religion with.
VI.
Don’t force your faith on others – if someone doesn’t want the truth, you CANNOT make
them accept it. You can
plant the seed, water it and leave it in God’s hands.
That’s it. (1 Cor. 3:5-6)
This doesn’t mean you don’t invite others to hear the truth (if
you truly value their souls you cannot help but do that), or that you
IGNORE their errors, insults, attacks, etc. and fail to fight for your
right to worship God (even Paul appealed to Caesar and used his
citizenship when it was helpful).
But if they don’t want to hear the gospel, they don’t want to
hear it. It is NOT your
fault.
VII.
Know what you are teaching
-
2Tim. 2:24 – a servant of the Lord must be able to teach.
1 Pet. 3:15 – can you defend your hope? Can you show in the Bible why
you believe you are saved (i.e. God’s plan of salvation, the importance
of respecting authority, that you are part of a church sincerely
striving to follow God’s pattern, etc.)?
Are you “rightly dividing the word of truth? (2 Tim. 2:15)
In this age of information, this is increasingly a challenge when we are
used to getting our information in sound bytes.
But that means information is
readily available at our fingertips.
And that means you might need to be able to answer questions
about what you believe, or refute objections to the truth.
As Christians, we need to be spend time with God’s word and not just
take the word of others.
The more you know the more confident you will be in discussing religion
with others.
VIII.
Be gentle and loving - 2 Timothy 2:24
continues by telling us to “be gentle to all.”
The idea of being gentle is to not be harsh.
We have heard so much about so-called churches acting hatefully
toward the world (protesting funerals, trying to provoke “quarrels”,
using hateful and inflammatory language, etc.).
In addition to the doctrinal errors they teach, such groups are
NOT speaking “the truth in love.”
(Ephesians 4:15)
With only a basic reading of scripture (in contrast with in-depth study)
it becomes clear very quickly that we need to care about others and it
needs to be reflected in our conversations and conduct.
Again we note Colossians 4:6, “Let
your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt.
That you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
While there are times for harsh rebuke (Jesus used it, Paul used it,
etc.) it is not how you START a religious discussion with someone!
Galatians 6:1 tells us as we deal with brethren overtaken in a
trespass, we need gentleness.
And even if those you are discussing your faith with are harsh, it is
still no excuse to respond in kind.
“A soft answer turns away
wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
“By long forbearance a ruler
is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.” (Proverbs 25:15)
IX.
Be patient
- in 2 Timothy 2:24 we find next we are to be patient.
In our fast paced society, we want results right now.
But when discussing important differences in faith, we must
realize that changes usually don’t come quickly.
If someone comes to me with something different that sounds
convincing, I am not going to blindly change without seriously thinking
it through. I believe that
is what the Bible teaches as to how we are grounded (Eph. 4:14, Heb.
13:9, “Do not be carried about
with various and strange doctrines.
For it is good that the heart be established by grace…”).
I need to give others the same consideration if we differ.
Realize, you are talking about someone changing their lives and doing
so, possibly with consequences.
X.
Be humble when correcting - 2 Timothy 2:25.
Arrogance has no place in the life of a Christian.
That does not mean we are not confident, but we must never forget
that as humans we are no better than anyone else.
And we ALL need God’s grace and mercy!
Philippians 2:3–4, “Let
nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look
out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of
others.”
XI.
Let inquirers read it for themselves
– a practical suggestion that goes a long way.
Don’t just say, “the Bible says…”, SHOW THEM!
That takes it out of your personal opinions and puts it in God’s
domain.
Jesus did this often - cf. Luke 10:26, “What is written in the law?
What is your reading of it?”
1 Corinthians 2:1–2, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not
come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the
testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except
Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
What made the Bereans noble? Acts 17:11 – the searched the scriptures
daily to find out if what was taught was true.
XII.
Be fair with the truth – IF you have opportunity to discuss with others, be honest
and conduct yourself with integrity.
Don’t leave a false impression; don’t twist scriptures to win the
argument. (2 Peter 3:16) To deliberately misapply a passage is a form of
lying!
XIII.
Use difficult questions to set up future studies.
Sometimes discussing religion can lead to future opportunities.
Always try! BUT for
this to happen, we need to consider the other qualities we have
discussed in this lesson.
Ultimately, we will all stand before God and give an accounting for
ourselves. All we can do is
plant the seed and let their heart determine how it is received.
BUT, every gardener knows there are rules that must be followed
for a good crop. Let us
consider these things as we seek to share our faith, God’s word with
others.