While in Athens, Paul…
...had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” 19 Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. 20 “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” 21 (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) Acts 17:18-21 (NLT)
Some people love acquiring knowledge but are not willing to commit to the truth.
This might be like contrasting a womanizer with a faithful married man. Both like women in general, but when the latter finds “the one,” he realizes his quest was completed and commits to just one person.
Some people love to debate more than they love truth.
It does not matter to them which side of the argument they defend. Such people may end up in hell, if they are unwilling to forsake everything when they find the truth.
Jesus is the Truth, and when we find him (or he finds us!), it is immensely satisfying. We realize that our search has ended because we found “the one.” Jesus said:
...“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NLT)
Beware of people who merely want to debate, but who are not really looking for truth. They are a waste of time and energy, like trolls on social media.
People cannot be saved through debate, only by making a commitment to the truth, who, it turns out, is a Person.
I close with Paul’s words to the church in Thessalonica.
He [the man of lawlessness, the antichrist] will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 (NLT)
