A Solemn Charge

II Tim 2:14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

I have read that several verses mention doing things in the “presence of God” and this is one of them.  Being reminded about God’s presence being near is a good thing.  It’s like when a child remember his dad is in the room, so he straightens up in his chair, and at least looks like he’s listening.  And our heavenly father can see straight to our heart, so we have to sit up straight inside, as well!

We are told here to not “wrangle with words.”  It’s useless and leads to ruin.

When Christians sit and debate over “words” instead of agreeing together on “weightier” matters like grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love, they are causing more harm than good.  Debating to prove a point and come out on top as the winner only leads to pride, and that leads to a fall.

We aren’t called to debate people to Christ, but rather to love them, as he first loved us.

And that looks like laying down our lives for each other, not raising a fist over words.