Where do you argue?

Have you ever had an argument with someone that’s a fellow Christian or really anyone at all? Obviously if you are older than a week old then yes you have. Today I’m asking you what platform do you choose to go about your arguments and if your current choices are wise?

So what do we usually do when have our arguments with one another? Some people act out in anger, or they gossip about the other person. Some even bring their arguments to court in front of everyone to see. Well in small matters that aren’t huge,criminal offenses such as murder, theft and such. The Bible says that we shouldn’t go public but rather try our best to keep it a private matter.

If any of you has a legal dispute against another, do you dare go to court before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Or don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest cases? Don’t you know that we will judge angels—not to mention ordinary matters? So if you have cases pertaining to this life, do you select those who have no standing in the church to judge? I say this to your shame! Can it be that there is not one wise person among you who is able to arbitrate between his brothers? Instead, believer goes to court against believer, and that before unbelievers!”

1 Corinthians 6:1-6

Hcsb Bible

Now the reason why we should keep our small arguments private and not go public in a legal setting is because it sets a bad example for the other younger Christians and unbelievers. The unbelievers see us arguing over small stuff and making a big deal of it. During this, a legal battle can get ugly and show the sinful sides of ourselves.

This in turn then makes God look bad since we say we are his followers and are like him in that we call ourselves CHRISTians.

Now is this saying that we will never argue or that we should be dishonest about our lives with other people? No. But rather when it comes to bringing an argument that we have with someone public, it’s really easy for what we say to get taken out of context and then told to others. Then Jesus looks bad as well since they will say that his followers are fighting for selfish and stupid reasons. A huge problem with this is that we should be peaceful as much as we can and be wise to follow God.

A great example of the public taking an argument between two or more people out of context is when we watch trials online or tv or during a political debate. The media will take one quote out of context and twist it to mean what it wasn’t.

Now you may be saying “ I’ve never sued someone or brought someone to court“. And you very well might be correct but have you ever seen someone fight on Facebook or take their arguments to Facebook over something not important? They may be subtle and throw shade at the other person and gossip or be blunt and insult them with their names.

This could be someone using any platform in social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, etc… along with other platforms that will come out in the future. The same things happen when people argue on these kind of platforms that happened in the legal courts back in Roman times. It became public and brought shame on Christ especially if either or both of the people arguing are Christians or at least sag they are.

So what do we do then? The passage is pretty clear. First you should try and resolve the situation between just the two of you and if you can’t, then bring in another person. You should find a wise and mature Christian in your local church. This way, you will have more wisdom and someone that isn’t emotionally involved in the situation and therefore is less likely to lash out in anger at either person.

Now will this be easy every time? Oh definitely not, especially if someone has a problem with pride. You will want to get what is yours and be angry but you need to restrain yourself.

For as Christians, we need to think of the bigger picture. As Christians we need to think of Christ and his kingdom before our own kingdoms on earth that will one day burn away to dust.

Thank you for reading this and if you have any questions or disagreements, just comment below or message me. I hope you have a great day.