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A Disputatious Spirit The Bible says, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you
in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's
have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not
be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:19-26 (KJV) But little is gained if opinions are crammed into men; and this is likely to be the case where they are not permitted
to inquire and to doubt. At the same time, it must be remembered that no spirit is more unfriendly to that indifference of
mind so essential to freedom of inquiry than that which arises in the conduct of controversy. When we become advocates, we
lay aside the garb of philosophers. The desire of victory is often stronger than the love of truth; and pride, jealousy, ambition
and envy, identifying ourselves with our opinions, will lend their aid to pervert our judgments and to seduce us from our
candor. A disputatious spirit is always the mark of a little mind. The cynic may growl, but he can never aspire to the dignity
of character. There are undoubtedly occasions when we must contend earnestly for the truth; but ... we should look well to
our own hearts, that no motives animate us but the love of truth and zeal for the highest interests of man. Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV) “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Daily Chronological Bible Reading: Matthew 24
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