Avoiding Nonsense

"Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers." 2 Timothy 2:14

If you have ever gotten into a debate with someone over the use of words, you know how easily that can happen. Around here, we have a lot of buffalo. They are buffalo, not bison. Go over to western Wyoming, and they are bison, not buffalo. If you say "buffalo,” everyone knows what you are talking about. If you say "bison," again, everyone knows what you are talking about. I've heard people get into spirited debates over those words, and tension rises with each exchange. In the end, no one's mind is changed, and everyone is mad. Both names are correct, so what does it matter?

Unfortunately, we do the same thing inside the church. One person won't use descriptive words if they aren't in the Bible. Another person doesn't really care. If neither one gives, division starts to develop, and a rift forms. This will all sound very stupid someday, standing before God, which is why Paul warned Timothy to avoid this kind of nonsense. That is great advice for each of us today.

By Rick “Papa” Wilson