An argument is a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.
Titus 3:9 "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless."
My Facebook posts are not intended to persuade anyone. I have my convictions and beliefs, and you have yours. My FB. posts are assertions of my firmly held beliefs, not arguments. Your disagreements are welcomed. However, please don't be offended if I choose not to respond, or respond with a mere clarification rather than an counter argument.
Our disagreements only become arguments when you try to persuade me that your assertion is right and mine is wrong.
When an assertion about a belief is mistaken for an argument people try to defend their beliefs, and stop trying to understand what has been asserted. Such exchanges satisfy one's need to be right, but it is an ineffective way to change anyone's beliefs.
I assert that arguing is sinful because 1) it fails to produce understanding, which is necessary to clarify misunderstandings. 2) They are "unprofitable and useless" because arguments are not an effective way to alter the firmly held beliefs of another person.
Now, the following three paragraphs are more than an assertion. The are rather direct argument meant intended to persuade.
The famed neuroscientist, Paul Zak has studied the brain chemistry of persuasion for most of his professional life. He has concluded that when it comes to changing beliefs facts are secondary:
“The mistake people make is using logic. For normal humans, data and evidence isn’t the way to change a mind. We’re social creatures, and we’re fascinated by other humans. It’s not about the story. It’s about the storyteller.”
It is the human factor that matters, and God did it best in Christ. He did express Himself in words, but most persuasively in what He did when He loved us to death...His own. His kindness created the most profound belief alteration of them all. He cared and It showed. But chances are that argument didn't change you.
Yet I most confidently assert that people are persuaded (to believe) not by our well reasoned arguments, but by the way we allow God to express His loving kindness through us. Romans 2:4, "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"
My prayer is that the assertions we make will help others know us better without arguers feeling they must prove themselves right and the assertion wrong. It is unprofitable and useless exercise. May I suggest saying nothing, not even offering a clarification, which I have naively try, and simply make your own assertion elsewhere.
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