Articles
A Win That Is Really A Loss
There is a phrase we sometimes use that describes a victory that is achieved at great cost to the victor: a Pyrrhic victory. The term was first used in English around 1879 and comes from the story of King Pyrrhus of Epirus, who defeated the Romans at Asculum in 279 B.C., but suffered great losses in his own army. It is held that King Pyrrhus then said: 'Another such victory and we are lost.' In a sense, the victory was not really a victory at all!
Unfortunately, we may be witness to, or even participants in, such Pyrrhic victories even today — and in a much more important battle: the battle for souls.
Sometimes, we are so intent on 'winning' battles that we forget the greater aim of propagating the truth, winning souls, or even saving our own souls, and we use tactics and words that render any possible victory as merely hollow and, ultimately, meaningless. Sometimes, we are so intent on 'winning' an argument, making a point, proving our beliefs are true and someone else's false, or even trying to convince others of our innocence, that we destroy our reputation and influence, seriously damage our relationships, severely weaken or outright destroy the zeal of new converts, discourage and offend possible converts, and trouble or even destroy churches. Some, unfortunately, are so intent on gaining that all-important 'victory' that they cannot see the destruction they bring — ruined relationships, ruined reputations, ruined churches, and lost souls.
But, hey! They won, right?
As Christians, we should be ones whose interests are centered on the Lord, His church, His people, and His ways; we should be ones who “live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for” us (2 Cor. 5:15). We should have the mindset of Paul, who wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). Paul was no longer thinking of himself as 'Paul,' but solely as a disciple of Jesus Christ. As Paul put it, a disciple is no longer thinking about self, and no longer living to please himself, but living for Christ and living to please Him.
That being true, in everything we do and say, we should not be looking for personal 'victories' over others, but rather looking for ways we can win true victories for Christ's cause, and ways we can help others to win their much-needed spiritual victories — victories that matter. How foolish we are when we seek to 'win' arguments, more than convince someone of the truth! How foolish we are when we seek to show someone else 'more guilty' than ourselves when sin in our lives has been revealed! How foolish we are when we seek to show an unbeliever how wrong they have been and how 'right' we are, rather than humbly pointing them to the truth and encouraging them to follow it!
What good have we done or achieved if we win every argument, but don't convince one person to follow Jesus Christ? What good have we done if we denigrate and insult our brethren who are trying to help us walk with God, but never admit wrong? What good have we done if we have the truth, but are so arrogant and condescending that we turn everyone off to the point they won't only not listen to us, but to anyone who tries to speak to them about God or Jesus Christ?
Brethren, let us think seriously about our demeanor, our attitude towards lost souls, and our attitude and response when others point out sin in our lives. Let's think about how we might better respond and live so we can gain true victories, and not destroy ourselves and others in the process. If, because of our words or actions, we turn people away from ever following God, tell me what really has been 'won' by such behavior?
In Religious Discussions. Hopefully, we are all interested in discussing with others the matter of God's word, our faith in Jesus Christ, and any kind of spiritual issue as it applies to us today. Furthermore, I hope we have put forth enough effort to know God's word well enough to answer the various questions and challenges to and about our faith. Paul's admonition to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15), his admonition that we should be “able to teach” so the lost “may know the truth” (2 Tim. 2:24-26), and Peter's admonition to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15) are just as applicable to us as they were to the first-century disciples.
But let us note well that Paul said we must teach the lost, but we must also “be gentle to all,…patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition”; let us note, too, that Peter said we must answer questions about our faith “with meekness and fear.” If we teach with the emphasis on proving others wrong and self 'right,' or if we teach with arrogance and harshness towards others, it is likely the only thing we will succeed in doing is turning them off to anything remotely religious or spiritual in nature. Brethren, let us remember our priority is saving a soul, not 'winning' an argument or demonstrating our superior Bible knowledge or ability to recall passages.
When Our Sin Is Exposed. It is truly disheartening to see brethren whose sin has been pointed out [even in the most gentle, loving way], respond to the exposure with childish retorts ["Well I might have sinned, but your sins are worse!], denial of guilt, shifting blame, and the all-too-familiar, "Judge not, that you be not judged!" [Yes, it is not only those in the world who respond in this way…sadly.] Such responses might lead the guilty to believe they have somehow 'won' some personal victory, but it will most certainly not result in forgiveness of the sin.
Let us remember that even faithful Job tried to argue for his personal righteousness when his so-called friends tried to say the many tragedies that had befallen him were due to some sort of wrongdoing in his life. While his friends were wrong in their conclusion, Job was also wrong in his self-righteousness. It is never a good thing to argue for one's own righteousness when a brother or sister comes to us in genuine concern for our souls, noting a fault or sin. Humility and “godly sorrow” is what produces repentance (2 Cor. 7:10), and it is only when we truly repent that we are promised forgiveness.
Brethren, let us stop and think about the real motivation behind what we say and do: Are we trying to justify self at all costs? Are we trying to 'win' arguments, regardless of our methods and manner? Tell me: What do we 'win'? More importantly, what will be lost?
Let us each examine self to ensure we are not motivated by selfish reasons; we do not teach the lost so they will praise us, but that they might praise God; we do not refuse to acknowledge sin because we want to appear perfect, but should willingly repent that we might truly be perfect; what we do, we do for Christ, not self.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are earthly representatives of our Lord; we wear His name, we teach His word, and we are examples to all those around us. Let us then live and speak so His name will be glorified, not blasphemed. —— Steven Harper
