Why Is What We Do Important for Others?
We are not alone in the Darkness. Many people are with us. Even though we may know how to live (knowledge we gain from Scripture and from other teachings on this website[1]), it can still be difficult to live rightly without running into trouble with our own ethics. But this is one of the most important things we can learn. It’s not about what we do, it’s about how we do it. Yet this struggle is one of the most important lessons we can learn.
If we look at the Bible, specifically Galatians chapter five, we read:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22–23[2])
This passage speaks of joy and goodness flowing from God’s Spirit, but it concludes with something essential: self-control. Self-control can mean many things, but here it reminds us that we must govern our behavior, especially in the challenges, conflicts, and explorations we encounter in God’s world.
What Are the “Explorations” in God’s Word?
Our explorations within God’s Word can be exciting and life-giving, but they can also be difficult, painful, and even ugly. They may involve disagreement, tension, and controversy. Sometimes the controversy is ours; more often, it belongs to someone else. Yet once we step into it, whether we want to or not, it becomes something we must handle with care.
Disagreement and controversy are part of our lives in the world. However, controversy can also become destructive. If we choose to take ownership of a controversy because we believe we are standing for what is right, then we also take responsibility for helping others understand the issue clearly and calmly. When controversy begins, we must be especially careful, because the issue now involves not only truth, but people.
For many, exploring God’s Word is exciting, especially for those encountering it for the first time or truly understanding it for the first time. Yet Scripture also contains truths that challenge and frustrate us. These moments can be painful, but frustration is not a reason to quit.
Disagreement and Controversy
When we are unsure of what God’s Word is telling us, we often become unsure of what to do. An example of this is: “Are all non-Christians going to hell?” If this is true, then this is hard, and you may need to think about this. (This is discussed in the paper on the website[3].)
This uncertainty can lead to disagreement or controversy, both within ourselves and with others. At these moments, we may ask, “Why is God allowing this?” If we are willing to ask that question honestly, then growth becomes possible.
But we must ask ourselves something important: Is this disagreement that we have really a disagreement, or is it a controversy?
Is this controversy really just a disagreement?
Controversy is a form of disagreement, but there is an important difference. A disagreement is often personal, limited, and private. When a disagreement becomes prolonged, public, or emotionally charged, and begins to affect many people, it turns into a controversy. While all controversies involve disagreement, not all disagreements become controversies. Controversy implies intensity, division, and widespread impact.
Why does this matter?
We often treat “disagreement” and “controversy” as if they are the same. In many ways, they are, but one of them more easily invites sin.
Consider the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (this is written in Darkness and the Light – Disagreement). Which one sinned? John Mark went with Barnabas, while Paul continued in another direction. Did Paul sin? Yes, but the deeper question is why.
Paul sinned because he focused more on the work than on the people with him. This is not only Paul’s struggle; it is ours as well. In the world, we often care most about being right and proving ourselves. In God’s kingdom, truth still matters, but so do the people walking beside us. God’s way always values people, even when the mission matters deeply.
In Acts, Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus, while Paul went another way. What began as a disagreement became a controversy because they saw the situation differently. That difference in perspective created separation.
Words, Will, and Self-Control
As we explore God’s Word in today’s world, we must be careful how we present it to others. Speech can be sinful, but it can also be beautiful and life-giving. We should never stop speaking, but we must learn to speak wisely. Articulating our thoughts clearly and gently helps others understand us far better than speaking impulsively. Careless words often harm both ourselves and those around us.
As we begin to understand God’s will more clearly, we return again to self-control. Words matter, but our actions matter even more. And beneath both lies our will. If our will is directed wrongly, everything else will follow. But when our will aligns with God’s Word, our words in what we seek, and our actions begin to reflect His truth. Then, we are going in the right direction.
This is where we must ask an honest question: Is this a disagreement or controversy that is worth us fighting for? We do not want to sin, yet we often find ourselves doing so in the midst of heated arguments. Recognizing this danger is the first step toward walking in the Light rather than the Darkness. If we understand this and know that the concerns and issues of the discussion are within our understanding, then we may want to help. If not, we need to be careful.
[1] Please go to https://mallminister.com to view “How to Live like a Christian”. You can enter a question into the Prayers area.
[2] Within this text, all of the bible quotes (in italics) will be taken from the New International Version (NIV) Bible. The copyright
belongs to Biblica and Zondervan. All biblical quotes will have the passage text of the scripture provided.
[3] Please go to the https://mallminister.com under Questions for Believers / Are all non-Christians going to hell?