Titus 3:8-9 - Scoring Points

Titus 3:8-9 "But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless." (NASB)

I used to love getting into a good debate on any issue with just about anyone. When looking back at those debates, though, I sometimes wonder if I really gained something of worth from them. Most of the time the debates ended up with someone "winning". Of course, that meant someone had to lose.

All too often there was a tremendous amount of ego invested in them by me, and I'd fight passionately to be sure I was the one who was right, sometimes at the other person's expense.

In a couple of instances when I'd sense that a particular exchange was headed in the wrong direction, I would go into my eclectic bag of tricks and spring a maneuver on the other person to throw them off balance. When I saw them struggle, I'd refocus the discussion and score some points.

All of this embarrasses me now because I really wasn't in those debates to expand anyone's knowledge. I was debating to show my skills as a debater.........and if someone's feelings got ruffled...........or someone was hurt........I'd rationalize that such is the nature of "debate".

It wasn't until I came to the Lord that I saw the foolishness of all this. And even then, in my early walk with Him, I'd still debate, but it was about scriptures not the things of this world...........but although the subject changed, my underlying motivation for these debates still was the same.........I wanted to win. Looking back on those discussions, learning more about the Lord was secondary to winning.

Even though Brother Paul, in the scripture above, is not speaking directly to what I'm talking about.........the end result is the same...if what I do or say or feel does *not* further the Work of the Kingdom, it is all vanity.........."unprofitable and worthless". In everything I do.......say.........feel.........He must increase, and I must decrease.

Love in Jesus,

Jim

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"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." (1 Corinthians 12:18 NASB)

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

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This devotional was originally posted on CCI-Devo - Daily Group Devotionals on April 26, 2004 in post #536. It was written by Jim Ross, a former United Pentecostal Church member, who attends Christian Challenge International, the sponsor of the devotional group. The devotional is the copyright of Jim Ross and is reprinted on this site by permission.

Page added April 14, 2006

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