2 Cor. 12:20, Eph. 4:17-24; Examine Yourselves for Contentions (2)

Paul told the Corinthians to examine themselves.  One of the issues he was concerned about was their contentious relationships.  When a situation (opportunity) arises that requires people to work out their differences we can respond properly or sinfully.

 I I.            Responding to the opportunity.

Contention has several manifestations; Paul gives eight in 2 Cor. 12:20.

·        Contentions: debates, verbal sparring.  It is often connected with envy (Phil. 1:15; 1 Tim. 6:4) or jealousy (1 Cor. 3:3).

·        Jealousies: the desire to have what another has.  Paul does not use the envy but we might note the difference between these two terms: envy is the desire to deprive another of what he has.

·        Outbursts of wrath: passion, heated anger, boiling up.  The word wrath is associated with wine which drives a person mad or kills him by its strength.

·        Selfish ambition: electioneering, putting oneself forward.  It is the opposite of the mind or attitude of Christ in Phil. 2:3,5.

·        Backbiting: defamation, evil speaking of others.

·        Whisperings: secret slandering.

·        Conceits: puffing up of the soul, loftiness, pride.

·        Tumults: instability, a state of disorder, confusion.  This approach to problem solving is also associated with envy (James 3:16).  God is not the author of tumult (1 Cor. 14:33). 

These terms help us to understand our own behavior which we may justify when we are in the midst of a contentious situation.  In the Body of Christ often the discussion of theological issues can become contentious.  This list can help us understand when our convictions have given way to sin.

III.            Learning from the opportunity.

Learning from these situations, by which we mean being transformed into the likeness of Christ, requires that we confess sin (agree with God about it) and seek and grant forgiveness.  The road of repentance and renewal begins here.

We also want to point out the basic pattern for spiritual growth.  It is the put off – be renewed – put on pattern found in Eph. 4:17-24; Col. 3:5-17 and Rom. 13:14.  It is connected to the foundation of righteousness found in Rom. 6:1-14 where we reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to righteousness.  Having died with Christ we realize we are no longer bound to sin and thus, in our daily lives, repent as we put off the old man.  Having been raised to newness of life we recognize that our aim is to put on the new man, the one who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him (i.e. Jesus Christ, the true image of God and our Creator; Col. 3:10).

Tomorrow we will consider specific principles concerning contentiousness.