For me, dream-discussions often incite them—dreams, that is. When dreams come up, many people put on their amateur-psychologist hat and play guessing games about the meanings of the dream elements. When these hats come out, I look for ways to slip out…and take a nap. So, let me tell you about the dream I had (I know, I’m a hypocrite).
Often, I dream about preaching a lesson that I’m working on and can hear how it sounds long before I preach it. Sometimes, I can even stop, rewind, or edit my words. Every once in a while, though, I dream about a topic or subject that I am not working on and I use it to develop a lesson. Such was the case with this dream.
While preaching a lesson on love, I made a statement about confrontation, conflict, and debate and how they fit with the theme of love. In every loving relationship, strife arises. When it does, we must determine in which direction the debate will go. After I awoke, I pondered the idea of debate directions and came up with a few ideas—especially when it comes to our relationships in the church.
Debating Downward
Sometimes in conflict we want to win our argument and put our opponent in their place or humiliate them in front of others. We want them to feel the sting of rebuke, the heat of embarrassment, or the bite of ridicule. This is debating downward. Festus argued this way with Paul, “And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind’” (Acts 26:24). Festus wanted to mock Paul, not find the truth.
Debating Sideways
When Christians debate over inconsequential matters, they debate sideways. Often, we hear people preface their arguments, “This is not a matter of fellowship,” then argue virulently, resulting in conflict, turmoil, and hurt feelings. In these debates there is no potential for spiritual gain. In fact, sideways debating can sever relationships as it did for a time with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:39-40).
Debating Upward
Love debates upward, seeking the ultimate good for the soul, motivated by love, and characterized by kindness. Upward debates focus on soul damning disagreements, not personal attacks, mocking or ridicule.
Paul engaged in upward debating when he challenged the people of Athens to reconsider their religious ways (Acts 17:22-23). He introduced them to God—the only source of salvation.
Religious debates are unavoidable in Christian living. By manifesting our convictions to others, conflict will eventually ensue—even among those with whom we mostly agree. However, we choose our debate direction. Will we seek downward or sideways debating, or will we debate upwardly to the high calling of God?
Preaching Minister