Debating is a practice that transcends time and culture, and the Bible likewise addresses this topic, offering guidance and wisdom. The Bible not only sheds light on the place of debating in society but also underscores how to debate responsibly and effectively. In this context, debating is seen not as a heated exchange of views or a platform to overpower others but as a respectful discourse to seek understanding, resolve disagreements, and build bridges of common consensus.
What The Bible Teaches About Debating
The Bible emphasizes the importance of intelligence, discernment, and measured responses when debating. It values the thoughtful exchange of ideas and encourages an approach based on mutual respect and love, above all else. According to the Bible, the motive behind debating should not be about winning an argument, but fostering understanding and unity. It suggests that we should employ wisdom, restraint, and consideration, using gentle language to ease tension and bring about resolution.
Why The Bible Discourages Heated Arguments
While the Bible recognizes debates as a part of communication, it discourages engaging in contentious arguments. The Bible’s teachings caution against the dangers of heated confrontations or divisive debates that only provoke anger or sow discord. Aggressive, combative, or overly passionate discussions can often detract from the main point of our discourse, leading to misunderstanding, and are warned against. This careful approach invites reflection and promotes a culture of meeting each other halfway.
When Is Debating Encouraged In Biblical Context?
The Bible encourages debating when it helps enrich understanding, cultivates respect for differing viewpoints, and leads to the discovery of truth. The Bible’s guidance for respectful and wise conversation supports dialogue designed to enlighten, encourage or comfort, and to guide towards righteousness. Debating, in these instances, becomes a Biblical tool for engaging with the world, dedicating time to hear from others, and learning from their perspectives.
Who Should We Debate With According to the Bible?
The Bible outlines no restrictions to whom we may engage in debate, underscoring the universal nature of discourse. The conversation is a tool for interaction with anyone—be it believers, nonbelievers, friends, adversaries, or strangers. But irrespective of who the counterpart is, the Bible consistently stresses the importance of maintaining respect, humility, kindness, and patience throughout the conversation, emphasizing the ultimate goal of finding common ground, fostering understanding, and upholding unity in diversity.
Where Does Humility Feature In Biblical Debating?
The Bible alludes to the necessity for humility in debating. Humility implies being open to listening attentively, learning from others, conceding when wrong and expressing appreciation for the merits of others’ arguments. The Bible encourages debaters to seek understanding over dispute, to foster peace rather than tension. By highlighting the value of humility, the Bible prompts us to be careful listeners and gracious speakers, cultivating a conversational environment that favors constructive debate.
Below is the full list of bible verses on debating (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 Debating
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: Arguing Politics Division Quarreling
1 Peter 3:15-16
“15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”
Related Themes: Hope Arguing Gentleness Reverence Preparation
Romans 14:1
“1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
Related Themes: Strangers Judging Others Arguing Food Criticism
Acts 19:9
“9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.”
2 Timothy 3:16
“16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
Related Themes: Criticism Education Business Education Learning
2 Timothy 4:2
“2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
Related Themes: Patience Arguing Discernment Attitude Rebuking
John 13:34-35
“34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Related Themes: Love Hate Fidelity Forgiveness
2 John 1:9-10
“9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”
Related Themes: Learning Education Division Authority Division
Proverbs 18:13
“13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
Related Themes: Arguing Business Listening Communication Resolving Conflict
Titus 3:10
“10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;”
Related Themes: Gossip Negativity Excommunication Fighting Discipline
Acts 18:28
“28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”
Matthew 10:14
“14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”
Related Themes: Rejection
1 Timothy 1:3
“3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”
Related Themes: Arguing
Proverbs 19:3
“3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.”
Related Themes: Complaining Foolishness
1 Thessalonians 2:13
“13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
Philippians 3:18-19
“18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
1 Corinthians 2:7-9
“7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
Related Themes: Glorification Destiny Wisdom
Proverbs 22:8
“8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow Vanity Protests Injustice
1 Timothy 4:6
“6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”
Titus 2:6-10
“6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”
Related Themes: Reputation Self-Control
Proverbs 16:33
“33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Omnipotence Gambling Chance Voting
Nehemiah 8:8
“8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”
Mark 6:11
“11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
Philippians 1:7
“7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”
James 1:5-12
“5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Education Dating Discernment Doubt
Psalm 127:5
“5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence
Mark 12:18
“18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,”
Luke 8:15
“15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
Related Themes: Patience Frustration Perseverance Lying Heart
Titus 1:9-13
“9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;”
2 Timothy 2:1-2
“1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Grace Education Telling The Truth Perseverance
