Losing Arguments

Instead of losing the argument I will come out with incredibly sophisticated and witty retorts that I end up winning rather than looking stupid!

1 Corinthians 6:1-20

Reference:  v.7  The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already.  Why not rather be wronged?  Why not rather be cheated? (NIV Bible)

Explore:  Everyone loves to win an argument.  I love to win an argument so much that even if I lose one I will replay it in my head later on.  But instead of losing I will come out with incredibly sophisticated and witty retorts that I end up winning rather than looking stupid!  Have you ever had an argument with someone in your own head?  Its a thought process where you are able to counteract all the other person’s opinions and shut them down with ease.  I always win… in my own head!  However, I have learnt something very important when arguing with someone in real life.  If I find myself in disagreement with someone I will try to ask myself the question, ‘What do I really lose if I lose this argument?’  Let me explain.  If I am arguing with someone and they get the better of me, I may lose getting my own way and maybe lose some pride.  Neither of these should be a great loss to me because I get my own way plenty of other times and its healthy to have my pride put in check anyway.  Now, there are some arguments, when maybe you are defending someone else which is worth staying true to your opinion.  But often, when I am arguing over niggly issues, it would be better for me to suck up my pride, show a gracious defeat and move on with things of greater importance.  I will gain more in having a positive relationship than I will lose by giving in to an argument.

Application:  We are so set on being right all the time that we’re not willing to let go of an argument.  And unfortunately this attitude is not new.   In the early church, believers would highlight their arguments with other believers in public.  This was a terrible example of faith.  But sometimes we get so set on being seen as ‘right’ that we will go to anyone for approval.  We must be aware that our disagreements can have an impact on more people than just ourselves.  The next time we are in an argument with someone maybe we all need to ask ourselves, ‘What will I really lose if I lose this argument?’

Prayer:  Lord, help us to check our pride so that we may give glory to You rather than take the glory for ourselves.  Amen.

Have a think about the last disagreement you were involved in.  What would you really have lost if you lost that argument?

1 Corinthians