Is it fruitful in your opinion to engage in battle with unbelievers out of our intellect?

Question

In a Bible study this week our teacher taught us, "Don't engage in war if there is no spoil."

If we are only arguing to prove our point and not truly caring about the salvation of the one we are in conversation with, what profit is there?

He talked about an Atheist always bothering a Christian friend of His. Always trying to engage in an argument. His friend frustrated by the attacks.

He told Him it was pointless unless God specifically deals with you to say something, don't.
If we from our intellect engage in battle with unbelievers whether they be atheists, muslims, buddhists, etc. the battle is fruitless.
Definition of unbeliever: One who does not trust in Christ for salvation.

If we are moved on by the Spirit of God to say something it is because this person has actually been contemplating the idea of Gods work and, faith is at work in their heart and, God is using you to only confirm. You are either watering a seed that has been planted or actually planting the seed.

To the Christians answering. Are you missing the whole point about whether or not we CARE about those we talk to, or are we arguing out of foolish pride and arrogance to prove our selfish point?
Are you missing the part where I clearly said, Engage, if the Spirit of God directs you?
Blessings.

idahomike3 good advice.
People, I'm not one to think I have it all figured out. I'm simply asking a question and giving an opinion.

Answer 1

You can't get anywhere by arguing with a person's Intellect. Remember we're to be lead by the Holy Spirit,not our spirit. You have to minister to people on a spiritual level. Check out this web site It explains what happens when you speak to a person's Intellect verses their spiritual side. You can debate until the cows come home ! All you've done Is waste time.Ministering on a person's Intellectual level Is what satan does. Aren't we suppose to be Christ-Like ? www.wayofthemaster.com

Answer 2

I'd say yes and no.

Yes to the idea that intellectual battles with unbelievers are largely pointless because the intellect isn't the part that needs to be reached and because, without God's influence, all the intellectual arguments in the world won't have the desired effect.

No to the idea that nothing "fruitful" can come from intelectual discussions with non-believers. To me, it seems possible (if not probable) that a non-believer could come to respect the intellect of a believer and that through that respect, might be more open to listening to "non-intellectual" information. My dad is a college professor and I know of several students (and colleagues and others) that came to respect him for his intelligence and then later sought his advice about spiritual issues.

A purely intellectual battle about the existence of God won't yield the desired result. However, an intellectual argument about the practical implications of one of God's instructions (for example, sexual morality) might open a door for someone to seek other "truths" from the word of God and thus lead to Jesus!

Answer 3

As a Christian Preacher one of the hardest lessons I had to learn was preach and teach the Word of God and then step aside and allow the Holy Spirit to work.
Often times, especially in this format, I simply attempt to plant a seed of doubt concerning ones unbelief.
If they begin searching, due to the doubt I raised concerning their beliefs, I'm assure that the Holy Spirit will begin working on them.
The other thought is, we never know when the seed we planted, perhaps years ago, finally bares fruit.

Answer 4

I have not read the answers to your question....but I do get what you are saying. We are to "dust off our shoes" if people have been told and won't listen....or won't even hear it to start with. You can win the battle but lose the war.....and this IS warfare. God has promised to give us wisdom....so, I don't think there is anyone "beyond our intellect" if God wants to use us to reach them. If they do not want to hear...it does not matter what we say....they are turning God away at that point. It is a waste of time to argue with someone whose mind is made up....and it is not our job to convict. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. Good question.

Answer 5

I really enjoy old Killswitch Engage with Jesse Leach doing the vocals, that was such a huge scream and his transition from screaming to clean vocals was fantastic! I still like them with Howard Jones, it's just that their earlier stuff was what made Metalcore stand out as a genre of it's own and gain respect. BA: I need more hardcore bands.

Answer 6

I am a Christian, and I understand what you're saying...talking to some people about what it means to be a Christian and to be saved is sometimes completely hopeless...like talking to a brick wall ...and then their are others who deny it to your face and in reality are hearing and actually listening to what we say!

The truth is... it really does work better when you are face to face with a non-believer, especially when you are trying to get them to pay attention (if they're interested) to you. It is VERY difficult however to use internet forums such as this to woo a soul to Christ! I can definitely see frustration when I read the questions and the answers of those who are trying to convey their religious beliefs to non-believers!

As a Christian, I feel compelled everyday that I get on here to speak about God by answering and asking questions....I am truly thankful that I have fellow christians on here with me who feel the same as I do! I am trying to do my best to plant seeds via internet, but I find that it works much better live and in person!!

Answer 7

Well intellect is misused if your a talking about faith to begin with , objectivity has no room for "faith".Intellect and reason do not apply well to most of the terms being used in this question ,if you are not supposed to argue with people why does Christianity spend so much time deriding other faiths and trying to convert people? Unbelievers is also misused ,just because someone doesn't believe in your god doesn't mean they believe nothing. Every religion separates itself from the rest of society and then creates terms like unbelievers and pagans too deride others. This is quite frustrating to anyone who is being identified as an "unbeliever". Arrogance was not one of Jesus's qualities but it permeates the language used by Christians ,especially in the way many of these questions are asked ,you may want to think about the bigoted point of view you have and think about how it feels to constantly referred to the way that Christians refer to other faiths. I am moved by the spirit of J.R. "Bob" Dobbs to warn you that you will lose in any intellectual battles because you are unarmed.Now doesn't that sound bigoted of me ? There , you have my answer.

Answer 8

I do believe that some time you have to stand your ground. Let them know what you believe and why. Sometimes it is good to correct the person on any mistake. A while back I was talking to a non-believer. He thought that Muslims and Christians share that same God. I told him that we do not! I told how we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and how he died for our sins. As where the Muslims believe Jesus wasn't.

Some Atheist do ask good question, while some can aske some stupid question that are senseless. So when you are ask a good question. Answer it, but I would not waste my time with those woh want to enage in an agurment.

Answer 9

Thats a nice way of shutting yourself off from reason.

If you can't get someone to agree with your point, then ignore them!!! This destines you to never grow or learn.

If I spend time trying to convince you that the world is square, but when you don't agree, I shut you out. Then I am doomed to never understand that the earth is really round. I would never grow or learn.

If I was right about the earth, and had reason and proof to back it up, then there is no need to shut you out.

That position exposes the weakness inherent in Christianity. If they don't believe then run away, shows that belief based on faith alone, is fragile at best, and when confronted with fact and reason, believers should bury their heads in the sand.

It really is a sad belief system you follow, I remember what it was like, and I hope that one day, you realize that you have been lied to, by people who make a living, from teaching and spreading religious belief.

The world is actually a wonderful place, I am sorry you have been led to believe otherwise.

Answer 10

What I think is wonderfull about being a christian is that I do not have to defend it. I do not have to defend God. He can and will do that all by himself. He doesn't need our help. We need his help. I think people miss the point of being a christian, we are not supposed to condemn, or hate people.
But what unbelievers don't get is that we are to hate sin.
I have many friends who aren't christians, they don't always understand my beliefs, but they also know that there are things they do that I don't do. I don't shove it down there throat. And I don't turn them away as a friend either, because I do value their friendship. If they ask I tell, if they don't ask I try to let my life reflect what I believe. Because they already know.