Titus 3:9
9 But [de] avoid [periistemi] foolish [moros] questions [zetesis], and [kai] genealogies [genealogia], and [kai] contentions [eris], and [kai] strivings about [mache] the
law [nomikos]; for [gar] they are [eisi]
unprofitable [anopheles] and [kai] vain [mataios]. KJV-Interlinear
9 But shun foolish controversies
and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are
unprofitable and worthless. NASB
Controversies, run the gamut
from office politics, to social bickering, from governmental policy, to
virtually every issue in society, from personal opinion to personal beliefs, to
inordinate ambition, to inordinate competitiveness, to incessant complaining, and
on and on and on.
Wherever there is a
disagreement between two or more people, whether in social circles, marriage,
family, friends, or in the public venue, there is the basis for controversy.
And in things of
controversy, you either have to hold your ground, compromise, or change over to
the other view.
And regardless of the
issue, any controversy engaged in within this world, is approached without
facts, without orientation to the realities of the issue, and certainly without
knowing the true answer, or the repercussions of the answers desired. Bias, selfishness, and convenience are the
usual ingredients.
Controversies are
fueled by arrogance.People with
opinions based on little or no knowledge.
And of course we are
talking here about the issues of the world, not the issues of the Bible.
The issues of the world
create nothing, produce nothing, solve nothing, and are impotent with respect
to contributing to ones destiny.
Genealogies are the
controversies of ones color, or gender, or culture, or ancestry, or heritage,
or whatever it is that makes you think that you are better, or worse than
anyone else.These are opinions that
presume some form of superiority of ones self over others.
The Jewish people back
in Paul s day, thought that they were the superior race, chosen by God,
custodians of the scriptures, and therefore better than everyone else.
The Muslims of today, believe
similar things, only that the rest of us are infidels and worthy of nothing short
of being killed.
And then you have the
skin heads, and black-panther types, cults galore, nazis followers, and so on and so forth. All of whom want to force their views on
everyone else, which simply means that they want everyone else to be enslaved
by them.They, being the elite among us,
and we, providing for their every whim.
Strife's and disputes
are the arguments and conflicts that crop up among people, neighbors, couples,
family members, nations, etc.
The law here is not a reference
to the Levitical Law, but to the regulatory function of government in general. This opens up a huge can of worms, what with
entitlement programs, regulatory programs, taxation, the use of public money,
pork barrel policies, and so forth.
If we listed every
controversy, or issue, or difference of opinion that could come up in life, you
probably wouldn t have enough time in this life, to read them all.
Suffice to say, there
are so many possible distractions in this world, which can keep you or prevent
you from your spiritual life, that if you were not alert to some extent, you
wouldn t even know that you were being prevented from something better.
And in all of these
issues in life, unless they have their origin in some principle of doctrine,
then they are totally worthless and a huge waste of your time.
For example. What color of clothing you choose to wear is
a matter of personal preference.Others should
not get involved in your wardrobe choices.
However, the hostage incident on the high seas the other day, was
handled perfectly.Those who are
complaining that the pirates rights were violated, are detached from reality.
Matters of opinion can
be expressed, but should go no further. I
see you are wearing red.I think you would
look better in a darker shade.
Matters of doctrine,
need to be aligned perfectly with the principles of truth. If you can t do the time, don t do the crime.
And so, if you don t
wish to lose out on your eternal future, then don t trade it away on the inconsequential
things of this life.Esau traded his whole
future away for a single meal.
Everything from this
world is that single meal.It will never
compare with an eternity of blessing that you are trading away for it, which is
what you are doing if you do not pursue your spiritual life.