By Michael Mooney, Exec. Elder

Reframing Disagreement through the Lens of the Gospel #

In today’s volatile cultural climate, disagreements over theology and politics often fracture relationships within the Church. We debate the sovereignty of God. We wrestle over the morality of social policies. We disagree about the authority and interpretation of Scripture. In these discussions, Christians frequently fall into patterns of speech and behavior that reflect the world more than the Word.

We label, dismiss, and even slander one another. Often, this happens not because we are certain of the truth, but because we are uncomfortable with dissent. In doing so, we ignore the biblical call to patience, humility, and unity in the body of Christ. Instead of seeing one another as fellow seekers of divine wisdom, we often act as if the person who disagrees with us is an enemy to overcome. We post inflammatory responses on social media. We withdraw from difficult conversations. We quote Scripture not to enlighten but to silence. And we subtly imply, or even directly say, “If you were really a Christian, you would agree with me.” This behavior contradicts the very spirit of Christ.

Let us remember the New Testament, the word for “devil” is primarily translated from the Greek word diabolos. The Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines it as slanderer or accuser. This term appears multiple times in the Gospels, Epistles, and Revelation and is often used to describe Satan, the adversary of God and deceiver of humanity. Therefore; the NT, “devil” is not just a generic term for evil but refers to a personal, malevolent spiritual being known as Satan, who is characterized by deception, accusation, and antagonism toward God’s redemptive purposes.

The Gospel Call to Unity #

Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Love is not displayed by winning arguments. It is shown by bearing with one another, especially when we differ. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:2, “If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge… but have not love, I am nothing.” Knowledge, even theological knowledge, is powerless when stripped of love.

We are warned clearly in Proverbs 18:2, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” This verse forces a sobering question: when disagreement arises, do we truly seek to understand, or are we simply waiting for our turn to speak? Before applying this verse to someone else, we must ask, “Am I the fool in this situation?” If we always assume others are the problem, we violate the very humility that Scripture commands.

Biblical Unity Verses: #

The following verses consistently show that forbearance, burden-bearing, patience, and unity are not peripheral but central to New Testament ethics. They flow directly from the model and command of Jesus Christ and are key to spiritual maturity and communal peace.

Bearing Burdens in Disagreement #

Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Here, Paul calls believers to take on each other’s moral, emotional, and practical struggles. In the context of this article, it means we walk alongside even those we disagree with, helping carry their confusion or weakness instead of criticizing it from afar.

Ephesians 4:2–3 exhorts us to walk “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Unity does not happen by default. It must be maintained with eagerness and effort. This applies not only to friendships but to ideological conflict. When political or theological debates arise, gentleness and patience are to be the norm, not the exception.

Colossians 3:13 instructs, “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” This links tolerance directly with forgiveness. In any disagreement, personal offense is almost inevitable. Yet Paul does not leave room for bitterness. He commands us to imitate Christ’s mercy.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Paul gives practical instructions for community life: “Admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” The last phrase is crucial. We must be patient with everyone. This includes not only the teachable but also the obstinate, the confused, and the combative.

Romans 15:1 adds, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” In theological debates, this means that maturity involves restraint. We do not win by overpowering the weaker voice. We win by elevating Christ through compassion.

This verse serves as a transition between Paul’s discussion of Christian liberty in Romans 14 and his call for unity in chapter 15.

“We who are strong” Paul addresses those who are spiritually mature. These are believers whose consciences are not troubled by disputable matters such as food laws or religious observances. Their strength reflects confidence that flows from a clear understanding of the gospel.

“Have an obligation” The Greek word used here conveys the idea of a moral debt. The strong are bound to a duty. This is not a suggestion or an act of generosity. It is a Christ-centered requirement rooted in love and service.

“To bear with the failings of the weak” The phrase “bear with” means more than tolerate. It implies active support. The failings refer not to sin but to limitations in understanding or conscience. Paul is calling mature believers to carry the burdens of others with patience, not to judge or dismiss them.

“And not to please ourselves” Self-denial is at the heart of Christian maturity. The goal is not to use freedom for personal advantage but to build up the body of Christ. This mirrors the humility of Christ, who did not seek to please Himself but gave Himself for others.

According to Paul, maturity is not measured by how much one knows but by how much one is willing to serve. In theological debate, the strong should not use their clarity to overpower the weak. Instead, they should embody the grace of Christ. Restraint is a sign of spiritual strength. Compassion reveals the depth of gospel transformation. Victory is not found in winning arguments but in elevating Christ through humility and love.

Encouragement Without Withdrawal #

Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” Even when disagreement arises, our calling is to encourage, not alienate.

Philippians 2:3–4 challenges our motives: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” When we argue to win rather than to understand, we fall into conceit. The remedy is to see others as more important, which realigns our posture with the humility of Christ.

Charity Over Uniformity #

In Romans 14, Paul addresses disputes among believers over diet and holy days. These are issues tied closely to religious identity and personal conviction. His instruction is clear: “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Romans 14:10). Rather than demand uniformity, Paul calls for charity. He invites believers to stop despising each other and instead make space for different convictions within the boundaries of faithfulness.

Similarly, James rebukes the tendency to speak arrogantly in theological matters: “Whoever speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law” (James 4:11). When we elevate our views at the expense of love and humility, we are not standing for truth. We are standing in pride.

By contrast, Scripture calls us to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). This is not passivity. It is disciplined restraint. It is the posture of someone who believes that God is at work in others just as He is in us.

Christian Unity and Humility That Clarifies Truth: #

This entire framework points to a higher calling in our disagreements. We must stop viewing others as opponents and start recognizing them as fellow seekers of truth. The person who challenges our views may actually sharpen them. They may uncover our blind spots. They may even hold a part of the truth we have not yet grasped. This is not relativism. It is humility. Truth does not tremble when questioned. It is often clarified through honest conversation and rigorous thought.

When we treat disagreement as warfare, we lose more than civility. We lose clarity. But when we approach others as co-pilgrims on a shared journey toward understanding God’s will, then even the friction of debate can refine our understanding rather than fracture our fellowship. Iron sharpens iron. That happens only when both sides are willing to connect with integrity, humility, and persistence.

Still, we must be cautious not to speak loudly where we lack clarity. Boldness is not the same as certainty. Just because we feel strongly about a topic does not mean we understand it deeply. Many voices in Christian discourse express opinions with great confidence, yet very little nuance. This can be harmful. Especially when those opinions are turned into measuring sticks of spiritual maturity.

Evidence, Examination, and Faithfulness #

Proverbs 18:2 warns, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” This is a timeless reminder to pause before we speak and to examine whether our motivation is truth or ego. The louder we become about a position we have not fully tested, the more likely we are to misrepresent not only the issue but also Christ.

In the pursuit of truth, facts and evidence must remain paramount. We cannot claim to honor the God of truth while avoiding the hard work of investigation. Proverbs 18:17 reminds us, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” Examination is not a form of disrespect. It is an act of faithfulness. To search the Scriptures. To verify claims. To test ideas. These are not academic luxuries. They are acts of spiritual maturity.

Too often, we mistake conviction for clarity. We feel strongly, so we speak boldly. But feeling is not fact. A loud voice is not a strong argument. If we cannot articulate our position in a way that a child could understand, then perhaps we do not understand it ourselves. If we cannot offer a reasonable answer grounded in Scripture and logic, then maybe we are not yet ready to turn that position into a test of Christian faithfulness.

Gospel Call to Unity Through Clarity, Not Opinion #

Christianity does not rise or fall on personal opinions. It stands or falls on the truth of the Gospel, the authority of Scripture, and the work of Christ. To elevate our interpretations or ideologies to that level is not only dangerous. It is idolatrous. We must be willing to admit where we lack clarity. We must be willing to defer where Scripture is silent. And we must be willing to study, to read, to pray, and to think deeply before we speak as ambassadors of the truth.

This is what it means to love God with all our minds. This is what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves. It means choosing understanding over assumption. It means refusing to weaponize doctrine for the sake of pride. It means recognizing that truth is not a personal possession to defend. It is a divine treasure to uncover together.

A Call to Repentance and Renewal #

If we are honest, many of us have fallen short of this vision. We have been quick to speak and slow to listen. We have defended our positions with pride rather than examined them with humility. We have allowed secondary issues to divide us, and in doing so, we have misrepresented the character of Christ to the world around us.

But the grace of God invites us to something better.

Repentance is not just for obvious sins. It is also for subtler ones. The sin of spiritual arrogance. The sin of misplaced certainty. The sin of treating our theological conclusions as tests of faith rather than fruits of honest study. These are heart issues. And they require a heart-level response.

Let us then come before the Lord and ask: Have I loved truth more than people? Have I spoken when I should have studied? Have I judged another without first understanding their convictions or pain? Have I avoided correction out of fear or ego?

If the answer to any of these is yes, then the path forward is clear. We must repent. Not just in word, but in posture. We must go back to the Scriptures. We must seek counsel. We must ask the Holy Spirit to form in us the humility of Christ, who had every right to judge, yet chose instead to serve and restore.

Let us become people who pursue truth with grace, and conviction with compassion. Let us build a Church that values depth of thought, gentleness in disagreement, and unity in the essentials. Let us walk in such a way that when the world sees us debate, they still see the love of Christ shining through.

Because in the end, truth belongs to God. And so does the Church. Let us walk as people who know both.

Closing Reflection: Unity in the Body of Christ #

Our conversations, convictions, and conduct must be shaped by more than personal insight. They must be shaped by the Spirit of God. When emotions run high and disagreement feels personal, our greatest need is not to win an argument but to be examined by the One who knows every hidden motive.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23–24, ESV)

This is the heart of true discipleship. To be willing to be corrected. To be led. To surrender our assumptions, our certainty, and our pride, and to be formed instead by the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.

---

FAQ #

How should Christians handle theological disagreement? #

With humility, patience, and love that seeks understanding, grounded in Scripture and committed to unity (John 13:35; Eph 4:2–3).

Is seeking evidence and examination biblical? #

Yes. Scripture commends examination and careful testing of claims (Prov 18:17; Acts 17:11).

What does bearing one another’s burdens look like in debate? #

It means walking with those we differ from, helping carry confusion and weakness with compassion (Gal 6:2; Rom 15:1).