". . . doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings." 1 Timothy 6:4
We at the Radio Bible Class receive hundreds of letters from "hair-splitters." We never hear a word from them until they have some criticism to offer or fault to find. Many of these letters are not deserving of an answer, for they are written in a bitter, condemnatory spirit and are only designed to draw us into an argument by mail on some insignificant, unimportant matter of personal mail which is to no profit. We try to conscientiously and sincerely help all who write us for advice, counsel, and comfort; we will not, however, be drawn into prolonged arguments over non-essentials with all the cranks who write to us.
It is said that the ancient philosophers spent days and weeks arguing about the question: "How many angels can dance on the point of a needle at one and the same time" Indeed, one fool can ask more questions than ten wise men can answer!
The Bible warns us against wasting our time over things like that. Paul charges Timothy "that they strive not about words, to no profit" (2 Timothy 2:14). To Titus he writes, "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain" (Titus 3:9). Again in 2 Timothy 2:23 we read, "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." We are to "shun profane and vain babblings" (2 Timothy 2:16). Don't waste your time arguing when you ought to be working. Be practical, if a thing produces fruit - the rest is unimportant.
Two professors were arguing the grammatical correctness of saying "The hen was sitting - or the hen was setting." Unable to agree, they asked Farmer Jones, who replied, "The question of sitting and setting I cannot answer, nor do I care. What I want to know is - when the hen cackles, is she laying or lying!"
"Bread For Each Day"
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