Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:14-19
What brings this desire for ‘irreverent babble’? It certainly is still happening today. We as humans like to delve into finding ‘information’ that makes us feel ‘special’, for our own sake, not for the glory of God. It is selfishness and self-centeredness that breeds this kind of desire for ‘special information’. That by having some ‘secret’ knowledge they will have the ‘attention’ of others they so desperately seek, and seem to ‘need’. Many like arguments and start many to try to prove their ‘intelligence prowess’, and ‘worthiness’. But for who’s glory? God’s? Or theirs? Paul goes on to charge Timothy with more advice.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:22-26
It would seem the current ‘ignorant controversies’ are only growing. Many are just plain attempts to garner attention and money. Can you discern which ones? Do you spend time chasing them? Or are you working on pursuing the Holy Spirit to work on your own character and soul issues? Are you delving into the depths of the fruit He wants to grow in your life? (Galatians 5:22-23) Is He actually flowing THROUGH you for HIS purposes and glory and not yours? Are you content NOT being seen and known by anyone BUT Him? Do you avoid those controversies? When asked about them, do you redirect the questioners back to the Lord for the answers to their questions, with ‘gentleness’? Do you set the Lord ABOVE your own ‘opinions’, and knowledge? Are you kind to EVERYONE? Meaning… do you really act out of the heart of the Goodness of God, or is it for your own benefit? Is the Holy Spirit directing your interactions with others? This is where our ‘pure heart’ is the issue. If God would inspect our heart presently… would it be declared “pure” by Him? How much of our motives are our own instead of what He wants within us?
Father – You know all things, there is nothing hidden from You. Jesus help me to be honest with myself. Holy Spirit – uncover that which I need to purge and change in my life. Heal me Lord, I need you desperately.