Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Timothy 2 (New Living Translation)

16 – Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.

23 – Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.

Years ago I head an expression, “Don’t argue with dead people.” Such arguments waste time and only tend to raise your blood pressure and reduce you thinking.

These two verses remind me of that “arguing with dead people” advice.

Here are some questions that we could argue foolishly (and some possible argument-avoiding answers).

• How can a loving God allow… I don’t know. God is far beyond me, and I can’t explain Him.
• How can you get off judging people who... I can’t. God is the judge. I’m just trying to understand what He has passed along to us through the Bible.

And of course:

• How many angels can rest on the head of a pin? As many as God put there.

If these answers aren’t enough, always try, “I don’t want to talk about that today, thank you.” And then smile. And then do something for the other person in a loving manner like offering them a cool drink of water.