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lesson 11

 

STRIFE ABOUT WORDS AND HUMAN WISDOM IS DESTRUCTIVE

 

 

I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS

     1. Romans 14:5,22-23 - Bible study will lead to strong, personal convictions.

     2. Romans 14:2-6 - Strong, personal convictions, because they are unique to you, lead to

                strong differences between people, differences of faith and opinion.

     3. Jude 3;  Romans 14:19-23 - Some convictions are worth contending for and some are not.

     4. Titus 3:9 - Some things that we fight about are really of no value.

     5. 2 Timothy 2:16 - Quarreling can lead us into ungodliness.

 

II. MAIN THEME - This lesson is designed to help us see what God wants us to (and not to)

                focus on in Bible study and discussion, because strife and human wisdom is destructive.

 

     1. Jesus and the early church leaders strongly discussed certain words and ideas, such as:

                a. Righteousness - Matthew 5-7

                b. Love - Matthew 5:43-48;  1 Timothy 1:5

                c. Compassion versus sacrifice - Matthew 12:1-8

                d. Commandments of God versus traditions of men - Matthew 15:1-20

                e. Resurrection and eternal life - Matthew 22:23-33;  1 Corinthians 15:1f

                f. Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness - Matthew 23:23

                g. Faith versus works of law - Acts 11, 15;  Romans 4;  Galatians 3-5;  James 2

                h. God's wisdom versus human wisdom - 1 Corinthians 2;  Colossians 2

 

     2. Strife over certain conversations or Bible studies should be avoided:

                a. Philosophy, empty deceptions and traditions of men - Colossians 2:8

                b. Self-made religion, self-abasement, and self-imposed worship - Colossians 2:20-23

                c. False doctrines, myths, and endless genealogies - 1 Timothy 1:3-4

                d. Prohibitive laws and worldly fables - 1 Timothy 6:3-5

                e. Controversial questions and disputes about words - 1 Timothy 6:3-5

                f. Worldly, empty chatter and arguments of false knowledge - 1 Timothy 6:20-21

                g. Foolish controversies and fightings about law - Titus 3:9

 

     3. This type of strife is destructive because:

                a. It prevents relying on Christ - Colossians 2:8

                b. It does not help fight against the flesh - Colossians 2:20-21

                c. It promotes controversies; therefore, separating brethren - 1 Timothy 1:3-4

                d. It does not nourish the soul or spirit; it is counterfeit food - 1 Timothy 4:1-7

                e. It is unhealthy, leading to envy and more strife - 1 Timothy 6:4-5,20-21

                f. It leads to more ungodliness which destroys people's faith - 2 Timothy 2:14-18

                g. It ruins whole households with useless, unprofitable words - Titus 1:9-11; 3:9-11

 

III. APPLICATION

     1. Study to learn about God, not to win debates and arguments - John 5:39-40; 17:3

     2. Study to learn how to love people, not to prove yourself smarter - 1 Timothy 1:5

     3. Study to learn how to imitate God, not to be praised by others - Colossians 1:9f

     4. Do not avoid discussions, but avoid strife about what you have studied - Romans 14

 

IV. MEMORY VERSE  -  Titus 3:9

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