Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:23-26)

Paul wrote to Timothy in this text in light of the swirling fallacies and false doctrine that was being permeated throughout the early church (1 Tim 4:1-4). This makes me think that Paul is certainly not suggesting to Timothy that he overlook the importance of holding onto sound doctrine. However, what Paul is noting is that in dealing with such issues, Timothy’s attitude should be one of humility and grace while strongly opposing false teaching and foolish controversies. The idea behind this is that to do so is to possibly win some to repentance and a knowledge of the truth.

This makes me personally realize that in responding to so many of those same controversies today (such as in this blog), may I be more gracious towards even those who are spewing forth false teaching. I hope I can do this not because I am being conciliatory towards false teachers (may it never be so), but rather that in my attitude of speaking the truth, it will actually be more convincing to those in such a state. May I also approach others with a Christlike humility, even towards those who espouse a completely different, and sometimes even possibly heretical, worldview.