A Romans 1 World Pt. 14 Debate and Deceit are Diabolical Speech

Debate is incendiary speech that stirs up anger and hatred.

Debate. The word "debate" in this text (Romans 1:29) is not like the way we normally  understand it today. Instead, it means speaking with the intent to contentiously quarrel and create verbal strife until that person prevailed. This word connects to Saul "breathing out threatenings" that we noted above.  It means hyper charged, emotional speech that results in civil disorder or inciting an unruly mob. 

Debate is evidence of carnality

1 Corinthians 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 

Paul had to give many correctives to the church at Corinth. Among them was the issue of carnality and divisions. Our word "debate" is translated "strife" in this text and the verse gives us the idea of what kind of speech this is. It is divisive, foolish and contentious speech. 

Debate is connected to verbal confrontation

1 Timothy 6:3-5  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4) He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5)  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 

Here is a longer text that shows even more detail of the context where this word "debate" is used. It is also translated "strife" in this text. Paul begins by telling Timothy he must teach wholesome words that he was taught by the apostle Paul. Timothy was instructed to teach the words of Christ and pure doctrinal truth to the believers he was leading. 

Why did Paul tell Timothy to do these things? Because some were filled with pride and engaged in verbal confrontations rooted in jealousy, while others were engaged in teaching perversions of the truth. This caused verbal strife, hurling accusations and insults, and evil speech. Thus, "debate" is all about verbal confrontation based upon lies and arguing in a contentious manner.

Debate caused a riot at Ephesus

Acts 19:23  And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24) For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25) Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26) Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27) So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28) And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29) And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 

This text from Paul's ministry in the pagan city of Ephesus is a classic example of "debate" that stimulates civil disobedience and rioting. Money is the root of this issue because the silversmiths who produced idols of Diana were not selling many idols as people were converted to Christ through the preaching of Paul.

One of the silversmiths called a group meeting to take action against Paul and Christianity. He stirred up all the people and provoked them to great anger, confusion and riotous behavior. They seized some of Paul's traveling companions and rushed into the massive theatre at Ephesus. If the town clerk had not intervened then the lives of Paul's friends would have been at risk.

Titus 3:8-9  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9) But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 

In this text the word "debate" is translated "contentions." Paul urged Titus to exhort the believers in Crete to maintain good works by living out gospel truth in all that they do. The apostle stressed the need to avoid speech that does not edify. The word "avoid" means to shun or turn away from it. Foolish questions about genealogies, striving about the law of God are examples of "debate" type of speech and it always causes contention among believers.

Deceit is malicious speech designed to hurt others. 

1 Peter 2:1-3  Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 

Deceit. The word "deceit" is more than a lie. It is speech that tricks or baits you into taking a position that you can be attacked for. It is duplicitous speech that disguises the true intent of the speaker.  "Deceit" is one of the awful sins that spring out of evil human hearts as our Lord described (Mark 7:21-23). 

Thayer's Greek Lexicon also defines the word "deceit" as guile or speaking with craftiness. This kind of speech seeks to cover up the true intentions of the speaker. It is like the actions of a backstabber or a twofaced person who says something nice to your face and then says malicious things about you behind your back.

In this text, the word "deceit" is translated  "guile" and it is connected with malicious attitudes, hypocritical behavior, and corrupt  speech. Peter is addressing born again Christians in this text and he says that we must turn away from that kind of speech, not engaging in it and not listening to it. 

Rather, we must seek the good nourishing milk of the scriptures because it will strengthen our faith and teach us about God. Taking in the Word of God will draw us closer to Him and away from speaking with deceit. Peter is communicating that we should take in Words from God to replace deceitful words. 

God's Answer to Debate and Deceit

Ephesians 4:29-32  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 

Paul makes it very clear what course of action a born again believer should take with regard to debate or deceit. It is an emphatic command. We are not to allow any "corrupt communication" come out of our mouths.  That is a pretty straight forward and understandable application of God's Word. God says do not engage in this kind of speech. Period. 

This part of the text is a "put off" that Paul uses so effectively. The words "put off" means to cast it off, throw it down and is a financial term referring to divesting stocks that you no longer want. We put off corrupt communication because it is part of our old man. We also know that nature abhors a vacuum and will try to fill it with something, so Paul always follows a "put off" with a "put on." 

Paul drives his point home again by telling us to put off bitterness, wrath, anger clamor and evil speaking. Instead we are to be a tender hearted people who forgive others the same way that Christ forgives us. 

The "put on" in this case is communication that is Godly. It is speech that is "good" by God's standard, speech that builds up the faith of other believers and helps them grow spiritually. It is speech that speaks lovingly of God's abundant grace toward us. (Also see Ephesians 4:20-28 & Colossians 3:8-10).

Thoughts to Ponder...

We see that our culture is infected with "debate" types of incendiary speech that incites riots and civil disorder, from both ends of the political spectrum.

We see that our culture is infected by "deceitful" speech designed to shape the political narrative in a certain direction, or to put a spin on things so that you don't look bad, or to hide the truth. 

The born again believer is to "put off" all speech that dishonors God and speech filled with debate or deceit definitely dishonors Him. 

We are to "put on" speech that reflects the God we claim to know. We should be known for speech that speaks of God's grace, speech that encourages others in their faith and speech that is "good" by God's standard.

The Romans 1 world seeks to press us into its corrupt mold and we must resist the pressure, fight against it and always seek help that God promises to give. I pray that God will help us be on guard against speaking words that are filled with deceit or debate. I pray that He will help us put off things that displease Him and put on that which brings honor and glory to His Holy Name.

Bob