When (and How) to Avoid Contentious People

We live in a contentious age. The combative mood of the media and many politicians seems to influence Christians, pushing them toward a more truculent manner in the church. It’s easy for us to “be conformed to the world” instead of being “transformed by the renewal of our minds” (Rom. 12:2). Many churches have suffered from hot debates about politics, masks, and related topics in recent months.

Of course, the problem of contentiousness is hardly new. Paul often warns his readers of spiritual dangers before he closes a book (2 Cor. 13:2; Gal. 6:12–13; 2 Thess. 3:6–12; 1 Tim. 6:3–10). Paul addresses this in a striking way as he closes Romans: “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them” (Rom. 16:16–17). Read More