Don't Waste Time with Dumb Fights

Titus 3:9-11

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁹ But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.¹⁰ As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹ knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

In Titus 3:9-11, Paul is writing to Titus, his brother in Christ. Throughout the letter Paul is preparing for teaching God's people. In the first chapter, Paul lays out the qualifications of church elders. In chapter two, He tells Titus to be sure he is teaching true sound doctrine. And in the third and final chapter, Paul is telling Titus to be prepared for the good work of the Lord. He wants to emphasize to Titus that it wasn't the good works of man that will spread salvation, but it is the grace of God that will proclaim the gospel. 

Paul goes on in verse 9 telling Titus to not get involved in meaningless arguments over trite issues. These quarrels are serving no purpose. People may come into the church with the intent to destroy the church body. They will do saw by riling up meaningless fights between the people of the church. If the church is not strong in their faith, this will probably destroy them. So we must be sure that the leaders of our churches are teaching what is right and true. We must know what our doctrine says about what we believe in order for us to stand strong in our faith. If we our not grounded in sound doctrine, we will be easily swayed to believe anything else.

If any church members stir up these pointless debates with the intention of killing the church, must be dealt with. Paul's instruction to Titus is warn them, but after having done so one or two times, to cut them off and have nothing to do with them. You have done all you can do and it is now time to allow God to throw the hammer down on them and break their heart. We must know that a person who is this corrupt is warped and in sin, they have condemned themselves if they are unwilling to repent.