And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 NIV
At some point in his journeys, Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to command certain people not to teach false doctrines (1 Tim. 1:3). Throughout both of Paul’s letters to Timothy, he gave instructions for how to deal with these false teachers. And that includes this passage.
Paul’s instruction to Timothy is contrary to what we often do. He tells us to engage the one promoting a doctrine contrary to what we believe to be true with kindness and gentleness. But why kindness and gentleness rather than being more forceful?
If I am in a discussion with another person, I am generally receptive to at least listen to the other’s perspective. At least as long as the discussion is on a friendly level. But once it becomes adversarial, you stand little chance of convincing me. Once I feel like I am under attack, my defenses go up, and the discussion might as well be over.
I have to assume that others are like that as well. So, if my goal is to lead people to the truth, I need to be careful to present it in a way that does not turn them off—to gently instruct my opponent, in the hope that God will lead them to the truth.
Most of us are not Timothy, fighting against destructive heresies threatening the church. More often, we will be confronted with doctrinal differences that, while different from our own, are widely held by large segments of the Church. However, what Paul told Timothy is just as appropriate for these discussions.
Let your interactions be kind and gentle, even if the other side of the discussion is not. Your goal should be sharing the truth in a way that would lead others to listen and be receptive, not to be right or put down opposing views. But also be willing to listen to the other side, recognizing that they could have something to teach you.
