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When Religious

Religious controversies are inevitable, as warned in the Bible. This guide emphasizes the importance of standing firm in faith, discerning truth, and handling disputes with grace and wisdom. Learn to examine both sides, speak the truth in love, and avoid pitfalls in controversy. Uncover false arguments and embrace the truth to safeguard your faith and glorify God. Discover practical steps for engaging in controversy while upholding the principles of Christianity.

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When Religious

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  1. When Religious Controversy Comes

  2. Religious Controversy Will Come …because the devil is trying to destroy our faith. (1 Peter 5:8) …Because the Bible warns brethren that “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

  3. Religious Controversy Will Come This is why the preacher must teach at all times w/o fear or favor of men (2 Tim. 4:2; Gal. 1:10). Christians must know how to contend earnestly for the faith & not their opinion (Jude 1:3; Ro. 14:1). We must remember to humbly speak the truth in love so that God might be glorified, not ourselves (1 Peter 4:11; Eph. 4:15). By doing that, we will be able to cast down arguments that are raised up against God’s word so that we can be obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

  4. What Makes Controversy Necessary Because there are false teachers who deceive many people with their smooth and flattering speech which causes division and leads people to speak evil of the truth. (Romans 16:17-18; 2 Peter 2:1-3) Christians are commanded, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). Our love for the truth must be greater than our love for our family, friendships, teachers and preachers (1 Cor. 4:6; Matthew 10:34-37).

  5. What You Should Do in Controversy Examine both sides of an issue by the Bible before making a judgment on it. (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess. 5:21-22) Don’t be prejudiced because of the teacher but test it to see if it is true (1 John 4:1, 6). Pray for wisdom and courage to speak the truth with unbelievers (Col. 4:2-6; James 1:5). Be quick to hear and slow to speak so that you will keep your anger under control. (James 1:19-21)

  6. What You Should Do in Controversy Be kind, longsuffering, and gentle when you correct others with the truth (2 Tim. 2:24-26). Aquila and Priscilla heard Apollos teach the baptism of John only and privately explained God’s word more accurately (Acts 18:24-26). If you are wrong, confess & forsake it (Pr. 28:13) When Daniel decided that he could not defile himself with the king’s food and wine (after he was taken into captivity), he requested to eat vegetables and drink water (Daniel 1:8ff).

  7. Dangers to Avoid in Controversy Do not be disrepectful to authority (Titus 3:1ff). Do not use carnal tactics (intimidation, yelling, questioning motives, personal attacks, or name calling) but humbly cast down their arguments with God’s word. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Daniel 3:16ff) Do not twist or misapply the Scriptures to defend your argument (2 Peter 3:16-17). Do not allow an emotional appeal to blind you to the truth (2 Thess. 2:9-12).

  8. False Arguments vs. Truth Concerning music in worship a person contends, “Instrumental music was used in the Old Testament and therefore is acceptable worship for today.” The Bible teaches that Christ abolished the Law of Moses when he died on the cross (Ephesians 2:15) and under the New Covenant we are commanded to “sing and make melody in our heart to the Lord”. (Ephesians 5:19).

  9. False Arguments vs. Truth Someone says, “I know I’m saved. I wouldn’t trade this feeling for a whole stack of Bibles.” That doesn’t change the truth that Jesus is the author of eternal life to all who obey Him (Heb. 5:8) and fails to heed the warning against trusting in your feelings (Pr. 14:12). “But what if a person is on his deathbed and he can’t get to water to be baptized.” That doesn’t change what the Bible says- baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

  10. False Arguments vs. Truth In the Judgment Day, many will argue that they have prophesied, cast out demons, and have done many wonderful works in Jesus’ name but the Lord will tell them, “Depart from me I never knew you”(Matthew 7:22-23). Just because we claim to do something in Jesus’ name with honest and sincerity doesn’t mean that we will be saved. We must do the will of the Father in heaven in order to go to heaven (Matthew 7:21).

  11. Conclusion False arguments are leading souls to be lost to those who believe and succumb to them. We must speak the truth in love so that souls might be saved and God might be glorified. By keeping our motives pure & conscience clean we can serve God & stem the tide of sin. The truth will set you free from sin (Jn. 8:32-34). Do you need to obey the gospel or be restored this morning (Heb. 5:8-9; Acts 8:20-22)?

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