BITTER ARGUMENTS HINDERS BREAKTHROUGHS
Mark 9:14 -29"And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them....And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not."
The word 'questioning' is the Greek word 'suzeteo' which means to: investigate jointly, i.e. discuss, controvert, cavil:--dispute, enquire, question , reason together. There was a strong dispute between the disciples and the multitude on a wide range of issues bordering on the authenticity of scriptures and from all indications the crowd of unbelievers were dissatisfied with and lost faith in the disciples. This adversely affected the disciples' ability to administer healing to a boy brought to them by one of the leaders from the opposing side
The scriptures admonished us to avoid arguments and debates that brings us into direct confrontation with our audience .The lack of wisdom and the refusal to accept truth by the opposing side can be frustrating and leads to anger which if not properly managed festers into hatred and under such conditions it is difficult to hear the voice of reason needed for faith to work. The scriptures says in Proverbs 14:17 "He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated." it is therefore unproductive to get involved in arguments where participants refuse to be objective in their analysis and delight in vilifying preachers of the gospel.
The disciples could not heal the boy because in the course of debating with his father, they had developed hatred .Despising preachers of the gospel hinders prayers from being answered ; faith requires a harmonious condition to function .
There are two major reasons why we should not engage in such debates, firstly, participants have no clue of what truth is except it is revealed by the Holy Spirit, the scriptures in 2Cor.4:4 says ".. the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not..." it is impossible to teach truth to the blind .They are detached from the realities of life. Academic achievements cannot make the blind receive divine insight.The so called 'educated or enlightened ones' are among the most frustrated and miserable in the world. Education is no guarantee for wisdom, happiness and greatness. The true proof and value of divine wisdom is in how fulfilled and joyful a person is.
Wisdom is divine and is only given to the humble.Those using the old testament as bases for salvation cannot understand the workings of grace. 2Cor 3:14-16 says" But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away." Old testament theology teaches condemnation but the gospel teaches grace. Old testament seeks condemnation for sinners with no room for forgiveness but Jesus seeks to save the soul of the sinner from eternal damnation and gives room for repentance.
The second reason why we are admonished to avoid such arguments is that it leads to hatred and a weakening of one's faith in humanity and God . The scriptures says in Titus 3:9 AMP "But avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissensions and wrangling about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile." We aren't expected to give answers to every question or make comments in every discussion , 2 Timothy 2:23 AMP says"But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels." Unwarranted arguments and debates are a major cause of failed relationships and marriages through transferred aggression .It is hard to live with a person given to unnecessary arguments. Proverbs 10:19 AMP says "In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent." The disciples lost faith when they fell into this satanic trap.
Jesus said all things are possible to him that believes (Mark 9:23) and the boy's father hypocritical claimed he believed thus discrediting Jesus by so doing. Religion teaches that one can have faith while nursing a grudge provided scriptures are recited like incantations but Jesus teaches that faith walks by love ( mark 11:24-25,Gal 5:6). It was when the boy's father repented of his hypocritical religious belief ,eschewing all bitterness (Mark9:24) that he received a breakthrough. He was a victim of the addiction to validation through public debates. Seeking public approval is detrimental to our faith : Jesus proved this by healing the boy before the crowd could gather (Mk9:25). Allow the love of God overshadow your heart and let the lord be your source of confidence.
Prayer : Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive grace for uncommon breakthroughs for total recovery in Jesus name.
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