Arguing is a ubiquitous human behavior present in every walk of life. The Bible offers incredible wisdom on this topic, offering guidance on how to handle disagreements and how to prevent them from escalating into destructive conflicts.
What the Bible says about Arguments
The Bible speaks in clear terms about the consequences of arguments and how to deal with them. It illustrates that arguments are not necessarily bad in themselves, but they can create division, breed hatred, and cause other negative outcomes if they’re not dealt with effectively. It encourages individuals to be peacemakers and to strive for understanding and reconciliation in place of strife. The wisdom of avoiding unnecessary arguments is powerfully conveyed, highlighting the virtue of being a peacemaker over a troublemaker.
Why Arguing should be Handled Sensitively
Arguing in itself is not portrayed as sinful in the Bible. Instead, the problem arises when disagreements are handled with anger, harsh words, or resentment. The Bible prompts believers to handle each argument with sensitivity, compassion, and patience. It is also crucial to see the perspective of the other party, as this promotes understanding and can often resolve the dispute before it escalifies. The Bible also emphasizes the importance of speaking truthfully during disagreements, as falsehoods and manipulations can only lead to more harm.
How Arguing can Lead to Wisdom and Understanding
The Bible also portrays arguing as an opportunity for growth and maturity. It encourages believers to see disagreements as chances to learn, to understand better and to cultivate wisdom. Arguments can challenge our ideas, make us reconsider our views, and help us to grow emotionally and spiritually. When handled correctly, they can lead to increased wisdom and understanding, deepening our relationships with others. Arguing is also considered a form of genuine engagement with other people, showing that we are willing to think, question, and communicate about matters important to us.
When to Avoid Arguments
While the Bible recognizes the potential benefits of disagreements, it also stresses the importance of avoiding unnecessary arguments that lead to discord and division. It counsels discretion when engaging in arguments and encourages believers to choose their battles wisely. The Bible outlines the dangers of being quick to argue or engaging in disputes out of pride or ego. At times, it may be better to stand down, especially when the dispute contributes more to hostility than to understanding. Furthermore, it teaches us to focus on unity and peace wherever possible.
Who the Bible Encourages to Avoid Quarrels
It’s evident in the Bible that all believers are encouraged to avoid quarrels and aim for reconciliatory conversations. Everyone is called to strive for peace with others and follow the example of love and compassion demonstrated by Jesus. It’s suggested that leaders, in particular, should avoid getting involved in arguments, as they are entrusted with the responsibility of fostering unity and harmony. However, it’s a general call to all to keep interactions respectful and peace-loving, minimizing the chances of disputes and focusing on nurturing kindness and understanding in all encounters.
Below is the full list of bible verses on arguing (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Arguing
Proverbs 15:1
“1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Related Themes: Criticism Bitterness Criticism Gossip
2 Timothy 2:23-24
“23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,”
Romans 14:19
“19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
Titus 3:9
“9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”
Related Themes: Politics Division Debating Quarreling
Galatians 5:22-23
“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Criticism Self-Control Strangers
Proverbs 29:22
“22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Strife Anger Complaining
Proverbs 13:10
“10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”
Related Themes: Pride Complaining Humility Wisdom
Titus 3:1-2
“1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
Proverbs 29:11
“11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
Related Themes: Criticism Frustration Letting Go Emotions
Proverbs 3:30
“30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.”
Related Themes: False Accusations
Philippians 2:14
“14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”
Related Themes: Complaining Attitude Complaining Holiness
Proverbs 26:4
“4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.”
Related Themes: Foolishness
Proverbs 18:1-2
“1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.”
Related Themes: Indulgence Discernment Wisdom Divorce
2 Timothy 2:14
“14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”
Romans 14:1
“1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
Related Themes: Strangers Judging Others Food Criticism
Philippians 2:14-16
“14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
Related Themes: Complaining Attitude Complaining Holiness
Proverbs 19:11
“11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”
Related Themes: Frustration Bitterness Anger Offense
James 3:17
“17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Education Discernment Peace
2 Timothy 2:16
“16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”
Related Themes: Gossip Communication Preaching Vanity
Romans 12:19
“19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Proverbs 23:9
“9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”
Proverbs 15:18
“18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”
Related Themes: Patience Frustration Bitterness Anger
Proverbs 20:3
“3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.”
Related Themes: Strife Peace Bitterness Quarreling
Revelation 1:1
“1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:”
Related Themes: Earth Trespassing Omnipotence Criticism Gold
James 3:9-12
“9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”
2 Timothy 2:24
“24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,”
Related Themes: Criticism Patience Repentance Gentleness
1 Corinthians 3:3
“3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
Related Themes: Envy And Jealousy Division Strife Jealousy
James 4:1-3
“1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
Related Themes: Lust Complaining
Proverbs 21:9
“9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.”
Proverbs 17:27-28
“27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Understanding Excellence
