connections Bible verses EGW passages
Show
Page 424
"Discussions to be Avoided You have loved to debate the truth and loved discussions; but these contests have been unfavorable to your forming a harmonious Christian character, for in this is a favorable opportunity for the exhibition of the very traits of character that you must overcome if you ever enter heaven. Discussions cannot always be avoided. In some cases the circumstances are such that of the two evils the choice must be made of the least, which is discussion. But whenever they can be avoided, they should be, for the result is seldom honoring to God. 3T 424.1 People who love to see opponents combat, may clamor for discussion. Others, who have a desire to hear the evidences on both sides, may urge discussion in all honesty of motive; but whenever discussions can be avoided, they should be. They generally strengthen combativeness and weaken that pure love and sacred sympathy which should ever exist in the hearts of Christians although they may differ in opinions. 3T 424"
Likely biblical basis 90% 2 Timothy 2:23
"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes."
Both passages advise avoiding foolish and unlearned questions/discussions that lead to strife.
Likely biblical basis 85% Titus 3:9
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain."
Both passages advise avoiding foolish questions and contentions because they are unprofitable.
"Discussions in this age of the world are not real evidences of earnest desire on the part of the people to investigate the truth, but come through the love of novelty and the excitement which generally attends discussions. God is seldom glorified or the truth advanced in these combats. Truth is too solemn, too momentous in its results, to make it a small matter whether it is received or rejected. To discuss truth for the sake of showing opponents the skill of the combatants is ever poor policy, for it does but very little to advance the truth. 3T 424.3"
Likely biblical basis 85% Philippians 2:3
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Both passages discourage actions motivated by strife or vainglory, emphasizing humility and genuine pursuit of truth.
"and bitter, is often the result of discussions. 3T 424.4"
Related principle 80% James 3:16
"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
Both passages connect strife and discussions with negative outcomes like bitterness, confusion, and evil works.

Bible → Ellen White

Select a Bible book from the sidebar to discover how Ellen White's writings amplify, cite, and expand on Scripture.