Crazy Talk

II Timothy 2:16-17a

As some of you are aware, I went off Facebook for over a year. I needed the time to unplug and disengage from a lot of the discussions about social issues that were going on in the world. It is not that they are not important. Nor do I believe that I should not speak to those issues. The problem with social media is that we all tend to only listen to those with whom we already agree. I was spending a lot of time sharing perspectives that people either wanted to hear, or did not want to hear, but I was not changing minds. I also found that I was getting very frustrated with people. So, I walked away from the platform. There were other reasons as well, but I knew I needed a break. Especially after spending so much time online after COVID hit. Breaking away helped me understand that I needed to change my approach. Coming back, I am trying to not be as vocal about issues online, and mostly share God's word.

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But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer...

II Timothy 2:16-17a

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We must be careful with our communications. There are many things that we can discuss, but perhaps shouldn't because it does not help spread the Gospel. In Timothy's case, Paul tells him that he should remove himself from such conversations because it can increase ungodliness and push people away. The example he will give later in the chapter is of two men saying that the resurrection of the dead had already taken place. This had led some new believers away from fellowship with the church. There was no room for this kind of talk in the church.

I would say that a similar topic in churches today is politics. I have heard of people leaving churches over political differences. There are certainly things that take place in the political realm that God's word speaks too, but we should not teach them as political issues. Any issue we discuss in church should be taught from the scriptures. If it challenges political views, it isn't one party verses another party. It is God verses a party or political view. That is the foundations on which all of our guiding principals, both moral and political, should be established.

Another issue is social issues. Society is broken. It has been since Genesis chapter 3. While the specific details may vary at times, the brokenness is the same. When we address societal issues, it must be with God's word. It cannot be as one race verses another race, or one gender verses another gender. It cannot even be Christians verses whatever else. It has to be God's Word says... That is the final authority and also the remedy for that which is broken in our society.

Remember what came before all of this? "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (v. 15). If we are going to speak on issues regarding politics and social ills, we must study. We must know what God's word says. We must also recognize which platforms are the best to address these from. Face to face is the best. Having honest conversations with people where they ( or we) cannot hide behind a screen. Also, recognizing that, as I said before, some conversations simply do not need to be had. They are "crazy talk" that will only drive a wedge between us and someone else. The word translated "shun" means "to turn away from", so we turn away from those conversations because they may push someone away from God. They simply are not worth having.

Father, help me to know when to speak and when to be quiet. Give me wisdom as to when to open my mouth so that I do not push people away from you. There are many topics that we are passionate about. Help us to be more that passion, but to speak with wisdom, knowledge, and the leadership of your Spirit.