2 Timothy 2:20–26 (ESV)
A Worker Approved by God
20 Now
in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what
is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness,
faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s
servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and
they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
I have a lot of buddies in the ministry that
want to correct any and everything someone says that is not right. I appreciate the desire to be right, but sometimes it is best to let it go and address the issue later on. If you quarrel with someone, you may never see them again, but if you
build a relationship with them, learning correct theology is a lifelong journey. I smile on the inside when someone tells me that they have always believed this particular issue when you know that several years back…
they didn’t. You know that you have been teaching and they have been learning. Teach in love and peace, not through quarreling. Now reread the last section. “22 So flee youthful passions
and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And
the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the
truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”
I pray: O Lord help me to teach with patience and understanding. Let the Holy Spirit work through your Word to bring about Godly change. Amen.