Do everything without complaining and arguing. Philippians 2:14
A mom taped a note to the door of her sons’ bedroom. This is what it said: “Have nothing to do with foolish and stupid arguments which cause fights!”
Believe it or not, that advice came straight from the Bible. Kids certainly aren’t the only ones who argue. That’s why the Bible book of 2 Timothy contains the full version of what that mom wanted to teach her children. It says, “Don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people” (2 Timothy 2:23-24). In another scripture, the Bible puts it even more bluntly: “Do everything without complaining and arguing” (Philippians 2:14).
Read through the New Testament and you will find that Jesus never argued. That’s because “the neighborhood that arguing lives in is sin.”[1] “Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin,” the Proverbs warn (Proverbs 17:19) and there’s always pride where there is arguing” (Proverbs 13:10).
God hates division between people. His plan was that all of us would live in harmony with one another. That harmony is only possible when we are controlled by God’s Spirit who comes to live in us when we follow Jesus.
All of the laws, the diplomacy and every racial reconciliation program in the world will never accomplish what only the Holy Spirit can do in us. “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit,” scriptures reminds us, “binding yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:3). God wants to bind us together in His love and transform our argumentative spirits through the gentle ways of His Spirit.
“Do everything without complaining and arguing” (Philippians 2:14). With God’s help, you can move away from the sin of arguing today.
[1] Cymbala, Jim. “The Beauty of Peace.” YouTube, 28 Aug. 2024, https://youtu.be/S0fBIT6x2Pw.
