Our texts of devotion are taken from the book of 2 Timothy 2:14-18, and it reads:

[14] 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.

[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

[16] But shun profane and vain babbling: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

[17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

[18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

MESSAGE

The Rwandan Genocide was a devastating mass slaughter that occurred from April to July 1994. Over 800,000 people were brutally murdered. At the root of the killings was a debate over Hutu versus Tutsi fueled by a complex mix of historical, cultural and economic factors. Though the nation is now fast healing and recovering from the ruins of the massacre, it will still take a long time before the scars and trauma resulting from it will be totally forgotten. This sad incident, one of many inhuman history, shows how damaging senseless debates can be.

Paul the apostle knew the enormous destruction that useless arguments and debates can cause to the body of Christ. For that reason, he instructed young Timothy in today’s text to warn the believers against it. Instead of engaging in such arguments that are of no good to the church, believers are encouraged to study the word of God so that they can correctly discern between truths and errors. When they are well grounded in faith, avoiding heresies and their damnable effects will be easy.

There is no better time than now when this warning of the Apostle is more apt to the church. The church today is involved in many debates and arguments over non-essential matters, and we are beginning to lose focus on our primary assignment on earth. While we argue, the Christian witness and reputation are harmed, causing non-believers to view Christianity as divisive and unloving. While we argue, the attention of the church is distracted from fulfilling the great commission, and countless sinners troop to hell daily.

Senseless arguments and debates foster pride and arrogance and bring about sharp divisions, causing believers to become fragmented and isolated. They hinder spiritual growth, and cause hurts and offences. While we argue, we waste time, energy and other scarce and precious resources. We misrepresent Christ and grieve the Holy Spirit. In summary, senseless debates do no one any good. It is a ploy of the enemy to keep the Christian from focusing on the main thing and fulfilling Christ’s purpose on earth.