Truth is under attack in this present age. Absolute truth is rejected (that’s nothing new, Jno. 18:38). Those who stand up for God’s truth are disparaged as haters, bigoted, and biased. The truth about  creation, biological genders, man-woman marriage, life’s sanctity from conception, sin, and salvation in Christ are examples of the raging battle between truth and error.

Make no mistake, the battle against error is a battle for souls (2 Cor. 10:3-6). Yet the masses want you to believe it is just quarreling about matters of choice and personal preference. And, some Christians have taken the bait and accepted the false narrative that moral and doctrinal issues are just matters of personal opinion.

Christians who “contend earnestly for the faith” run the risk of being charged (by brethren) with engaging in sinful contentions (Jude 3; 2 Cor. 12:20-21). Maybe this contributes to the silence of watchmen who ought to speak out in the face of error and spiritual danger (Isa. 62:6; 56:10). We must discern when to contend for the faith and when not to be drawn into “disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth” (1 Tim. 6:4-5). We must distinguish between the “disputer of this age” and the “good soldier of Jesus Christ” who is fighting “the good fight of faith,” lest we fawn over the former and scold the later (1 Cor. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:3; 1 Tim. 6:12). 

Consider some of the traits of the disputer of this age set in contrast to one who contends earnestly for the faith. By observing these contrasts we are better equipped to “prove the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 Jno. 4:1; 1 Thess. 5:21-22).

1) The disputer of this age “does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Tim. 6:3). He spurns the “word of the cross” and relies on the sophistry of human wisdom and reasoning (1 Cor. 1:18-20; 2:1-4). By contrast, one who contends earnestly for the faith will “hold fast the pattern of sounds words” that comes from the apostles (2 Tim. 1:13).

2) The disputer of this age uses flattery and smooth speech to persuade and deceive unsuspecting hearts. The result of his oratory eloquence is division and the spiritual obstacles that hinder obedience to Christ (Rom. 16:17-19). By contrast, the contender for the faith speaks the truth of the gospel plainly for all to see and hear (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2).

3) The disputer of this age inflames strife with foolish, untaught concerns (2 Tim. 2:23). Ensnared by not knowing (being ignorant of) the truth, he pridefully thinks himself wise (2 Tim. 2:24-25; 1 Tim. 6:4). By contrast, the Lord’s servant does not display a quarrelsome spirit but is gentle and patient, attempting to teach and save some (2 Tim. 2:24-26). Do not confuse teaching the gospel with boldness as a lack of gentleness (some made that mistake about the apostle Paul, 2 Cor. 10:1-2). Boldness exhibits the gentle strength of faith that does not yield to the flesh’s urgings to quarrel (2 Cor. 10:3; 2 Tim. 2:24).

4) The disputer of this age relies on human wisdom to persuade instead of the simplicity of the gospel (1 Cor. 1:19-25; 2 Cor. 11:3-4). Human intelligence and eloquence may be impressive but it is not an asset when it refuses to submit to “the word of the truth of the gospel” (1 Cor. 2:1, 4; Col. 2:20-23). The good soldier of Christ finds his wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of truth in Christ, not in the philosophies and intellectual exploits of men (Col. 2:2-3, 8).

Do not confuse those who contend earnestly for the faith with the disputer of this age. May we always hold up the hands of the former and turn away from the latter (Rom. 16:17; 1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Tim. 1:8).

The struggle against error must be engaged for the sake of truth and souls (Gal. 2:5). “Preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:2-4).

-Rewrite of original
The Spirit’s Sword, May 11, 2003