Category Archives: Arguing

Arguing, Bible, Creator, Molded, Romans, Scripture, Yielding

DON’T TALK BACK

ROMANS 9:20

“On the contrary, who are you, you foolish person, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, ‘Why did you make me like this,’ will it?”

One thing my dad and mom would not tolerate is one of their children talking back to them. They would put a stop to that very quickly. That’s not to say we didn’t mutter some things under our breath, lol. We could not understand some of their rules. We thought we knew better, which we didn’t. My folks have been gone for a while now, but I wish I could reach out for some advice just about every day. They knew what they were doing raising four kids.

Don’t you just love Paul’s example in today’s verse? But wait, is he calling me a lump of clay? I don’t think so. He is pointing out once again that God is in charge, not us. Just as a lump of clay is formed by the artist into something useable and beautiful, God is molding us into something He sees as beautiful. We simply have to yield to the Master’s hands. Sometimes that lump of clay doesn’t conform as the artist wants. So, what do they do? They smush it back down on the table and begin the process again. Boy, I’ve been there. Have you?

APPLICATION

Paul is quoting from Isaiah 45:9 which says, “‘Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker— A piece of pottery among the other earthenware pottery pieces! Will the clay say to the potter, “What are you doing?” Or the thing you are making say, “He has no hands”’?” The whole picture of this is ridiculous. When does pottery talk? Oh yeah, in that Beauty and the Beast movie! Lol. Seriously, pottery has no rights of its own. The maker determines the size and use of the vessel. Hmmm, doesn’t God have the same authority over us? We do not have the right to argue how God uses us.

Paul calls a spade a spade here. He says, “Who are we to argue with God?” The word “foolish” is not in the Greek text, but it is sure implied. “Answers back” is antapokrinomai which is only used here and in Luke 14:6 where it refers to the Pharisees who after seeing Jesus heal a man on the Sabbath. It says, “And they could offer no reply to this.” At least these Pharisees saw the futility of trying to argue with Jesus. Have you?

Ouch, Carl! That smarted a bit. Sorry about that. We are all guilty of doing that from time to time. We have a better plan than God, and we tell Him so. We don’t like the way He answered a certain prayer, and we tell Him so. We need to stop “telling Him so” and do more listening. Allow the Lord to change your heart. Trust His sovereignty over your life. Whatever He is making you into will be a holy vessel useable by Him and for Him. What else could you ask for?

Mold me and make me into whatever You choose, O Great Pottery Maker.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Arguing, Arguments, Bible, Complaining, Harmony, Scripture

STOP YOUR WHIINING!

PHILIPPIANS 2:14

“Do all things without complaining or arguments;”

Oh me, oh my! This verse hits home, doesn’t it. How many times have you complained about something in the past month? For me, it’s traffic. For the life of me I will never understand why people can’t just drive and let people merge without slamming on their brakes. It drives me crazy! Look, there I go! Complaining!

Paul would not have written this to the Philippians if they had not needed to hear it. I don’t care how spiritual you are, we are all prone to complain or argue at some point. Paul says, “Do all things…” The Greek word for “all” means (Are you ready? Can you handle this?) ALL. It means the whole picture, each and every piece which make up the whole. In other words, EVERYTHING!!

APPLICATION

I really don’t think we need to spend any more time on the word “all.” I think you understand that. But what about those other two words in this verse – “complaining” and “arguments”? Let’s look at them, beginning with “complaining.” That’s the Greek word goggusmos, which can be translated as murmuring, grumbling or muttering. The word is only used three other times in the New Testament (John 7:12; Acts 6:1 and 1 Peter 4:9). In the 1 Peter verse, it reads, “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” That’s easier said than done, isn’t it?

The other word Paul uses is dialogismos, which means futile thinking or reasoning. The Topical Lexicon describes it this way. “Here, the term is associated with disputes and arguments that can arise from selfish ambition or vain conceit, contrasting with the humility and unity that should characterize the Christian community.” How are you doing with that one?

I really like the Amplified Bible’s translation of this verse. “Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God],” You see, that is what we are doing when we complain, grumble, argue, whine, etc. We are questioning God’s providence. We are questioning God’s sovereignty. Trust Him (Are you listening to yourself, Carl?). We can all make some changes on these today, can’t we?

Father, allow me to trust You in all things and not complain or argue.

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Affliction, Arguing, Battles, Bible, Devil, Emotions, Fighting, Harmony, Peace, Scripture

THE DANGER OF INFIGHTING (BLOG #3000)

GALATIANS 4:29

“But as at that time the son who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, so it is even now.”

Being teased and picked on is no fun. I never had much problem with that as a child because I was a big kid. But like everybody, there have been times when I was teased or made fun of by someone because of something I said or did. We see it all the time, especially with middle schoolers. They can be the worst. Everyone and anything is open for this among them.

In today’s verse, Paul is referring to Ishmael’s treatment of Isaac which is mentioned back in Genesis 21:9. “Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking Isaac.” You know the rest of the story – Sarah begged Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away, which he did. The angel appeared to Hagar in the desert as they were dying of thirst and gave them water to drink. Ishmael’s teasing of Isaac resulted in them being expelled from Abraham’s family, resulting in turmoil for generations.

APPLICATION

Okay, so we have one brother teasing his half-brother. Big deal, right? It is a big deal. Abraham and Sarah’s disobedience of using Hagar to birth a son to them resulted in this sibling rivalry that continues even until today in the Middle East. In the same way, infighting and jealousy among believers can do the same.

Paul told the Ephesians to behave themselves in Ephesians 4:1-6. “1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Peter also talked about the importance of unity in 1 Peter 2:1-3. “1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” 

We have to present a united front as believers. Why? Because the evil one will use our pettiness and teasing to tear us apart. He wants us out of the fight and will use us against each other to achieve that. Don’t let that happen on your watch. Love one another.

Father, I am grateful for Your unconditional love. Help me show the same to my fellow believers.

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Agreement, Anger, Arguing, Bible, Bitterness, Choices, Disciplemaking, Following, God's Will, Obedience, Scripture, Submission, Surrender

ARGUING WITH GOD

JONAH 4:9

“But God said to Jonah, ‘Do you have a good reason to be angry about the plant?’ And he said, ‘I have good reason to be angry, even to the point of death!’”

I have met people who just like to argue. It does not matter what it is about. They just like to argue – the weather, politics, religion, the taste of sweet tea (lol). Some things are worth arguing about. Maybe I should change “argue” to “discuss” here. Either way, some things merit a conversation, but one thing is for sure – you cannot out argue God.

Look at today’s verse again. Jonah is actually arguing with God about his right to be angry. We discussed anger earlier, but here Jonah is once again stating his right to God to be angry about what He has done. Let me ask you a question. Do you think Jonah is going to win this argument? Of course, not. But he has every right to speak up. God is big enough to handle it.

APPLICATION

I agree that we need to learn to submit our wills to His will. There really is not another way to live the Christian life successfully. However, God knows us better than we do. He knows when we question His will what our motive(s) is(are). So, it is okay to “argue” with God, as long as you do not think you are going to win.

We have to keep in mind that His thoughts are way above our thoughts. He sees our life, past, present and future. He could tell us what is coming if He chose to do so. Most of the time, He does not. That means we have to trust Him, even if we disagree with Him. God’s feelings are not hurt by our questions. He is big enough to handle anything we throw at Him.

I am sure you can think of something right now that you would have chosen to handle a different way. I would have chosen to learn about the eternal things of God without going through my last stem cell transplant. But God chose that to teach me. Did I like it? Did I argue a little with God? Yep, sure did. In the end, I submitted to His will. How about you?

Lord, I do not always agree with You, but I know You are right. Help me trust You from the beginning.

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