Winning Arguments Is Not The Great Commandment Nor The Great Commission

Not a single soul in all of human history has ever come to salvation or been edified over 'winning an argument'.

Romans 16:17/18

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

• Winning those arguments will not save you at the judgement. Nor will the plaques on your wall. Nor the awards you won. Nor the podcasts. Nor the follower count. Nor any other thing which makes you feel proud or puffed up ‘in the name of God’. In fact, God finds all of these things detestable in His sight (God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble).

• Flattering speech and smooth words are not always from prosperity preachers, but it comes just as much (if not more so) from the men in suits and ties, have their hands shaken and told ‘good sermon pastor’, are popular among their peers, study a lot of material and learn words and phrases to make themselves appear to have a ‘form of godliness’ but ‘deny its power’. These types have ‘received their reward’ because they enjoy the ‘praise of men’.

• Whether you are a pastor, an elder, in any form of leadership in church or ministry, if you are not able to be humble, listen to others (you do not always have to agree), be a shepherd who looks over the sheep of the Good Shepherd (and not a wicked one), and if you do not seek to make Jesus known according to His Word (John 14:26, John 16:13), then you will find yourself hearing: “I never knew you” because you sought to build your own little kingdom ‘in the name of God’ by appearing ‘smart’ and ‘popular’, while Jesus is just the ‘sidekick’ and the ‘mascot’ alongside you.