Warn them before God against quarreling about words. (2 Tim. 2:14)
Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 2:14-15
Frequently, in the midst of a heated discussion, I realize I am so focused on simply being right that I have become blinded to the multifaceted subject as a whole. I miss the wider point—and worse, forget the importance of the person before me, losing my chance to speak loving truth into that person’s life.
It is easy to get so caught up in defending the minutiae of our opinions and ideologies that we miss the point of the gospel. The Pharisees were an example of this tendency. They were so focused on arguing with Jesus on points of religion that they missed the point of his coming. They missed the glorious reason Jesus came: to redeem them from fatal sin.
If we cannot see past mere words and arguments, we can miss the wider message of the gospel. Jesus used some very strong arguments against certain people and behaviors, but his goal was never to prove himself right. Jesus always kept God’s goal foremost: to lovingly spread God’s truth. If we think the goal is to always win an argument, we miss the point of Jesus’ life and teaching. Yes, we should endeavor always to bring God’s truth wherever we go, but we must spread it in a way that emulates Jesus. The point is to live and love others like Jesus.
Direct your focus to the real reason Jesus came.
Emma Dainty is a Houghton University (NY) senior who loves reading, birding, and deep conversations about books.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
