"Foolish Questions"

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain" (Titus 3:7-9).

The Apostle Paul would have us focused on matters of practical godliness rather than mental exercises that fascinate our curiosity rather than enable faith and obedience. We are to emphasize the doing of God's Word, and thus the truths that lead us to knowing our Lord in a manner that causes us to be "changed into His image" (II Corinthians 3:18).

Throughout the history of the church, "foolish questions" have led to unnecessary division in the body of Christ. Believers are also distracted from this moment's matter of faith and obedience when we spend too much time seeking a resolution of theological and philosophical issues that God chose not to provide in Scripture. We therefore do well to open our Bibles in search of the Truth that illuminates, encourages and challenges us to genuinely love the Lord Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth, and to love people as the direct expression of our devotion to God.

Solomon declared that God hates "he that soweth discord among the brethren" (Proverbs 6:19). Satan is that sower. He ever seeks to maximize the minimal, and emphasize the inconsequential. Conversely, the Holy Spirit works in us "both to will and to do of God's good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). His loving purpose is to originate, motivate and empower loving purpose in us. Rather than foolish questions, our Lord leads us to sanctifying Truth whereby He amazes and enraptures us by His wondrous Person, His dynamic presence, and the privilege of trusting and obeying Him as energized by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Those occupied by so amazing a gift have little time or tolerance for ivory tower contemplation of questions that, if answered, would foster not godliness, but further distracting and deceiving curiosity.

"Foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."

(II Timothy 2:23)