How to Handle Opponents

In today’s world, we are often called on to pick sides.  This includes sports teams, political parties, and even food preferences.  While some of these decisions might seem innocuous enough, I remember visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame (i.e., a museum for American Football) one time for a work dinner, where the logos of the teams in the National Football League were hanging on the wall of the banquet room.  Some of us from the U.S. were talking with colleagues from other countries about which teams we rooted for.  Then, we asked our international colleagues about their favorite football teams (i.e., what we would call “soccer” in the United States).  One of them replied that they didn’t talk about that with others, because the rivalry was so serious that it would cause trouble in their relationship with others if they happened to support a different team!

There are times when picking sides can lead to even more serious conflict, like when a war is going on, or when proponents of a given “side” are bent on violence.  Even in less dire situations, though, it seems that much of culture is focused on how to treat those whose choices (or innate characteristics) are different from us.  And, I’m afraid that the suggested responses are often to attack, defeat, insult or oppress those who have aligned themselves differently from us.  The very concept of an “opponent” has become the idea of someone (or some concept) to overcome, rather than to compete fairly against (for a sporting event) or meaningfully discuss differences with (for an ideology).

Continuing in the second chapter of 2 Timothy, the recipient (i.e., Timothy, although others got to read this letter, too) gets some instructions that seem particularly important for those who are leading, teaching, and shepherding in the church.  I think that we can all learn from these words, though, regardless of the role that God has placed us in.

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.  Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,  and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.2.24-26.NIV

Instead of quarreling, Timothy – and others – need to be the opposite of what Hymenaeus and Philetus were like (see 2 Timothy 2:16-18).  Kindness and gentleness, along with not jumping to take revenge, is likely to help more people listen to the truth, compared to starting fights or trying to get our own selfish way.

And, unlike a world that tries to force others into a particular “mold”, note here that Paul doesn’t want Timothy to destroy false teachers (or those who have been led astray by them).  The goal in kindly correcting people with the truth is to restore them.  Those who are stuck in these lies are trapped, and unlike those who follow God as a perfect and loving master, people who don’t have the truth are enslaved to the devil.  As Jesus promised in John 8:32, though, the truth will set people free.

So, how will you handle those who oppose you (or your beliefs) today?  Will you make rude comments about them, jeer at them when they fail, or trip them in the hallway?  Will you write them off as lost, and try to destroy them?  Or, will you see them as human beings, created in the image of God, to whom you – and I – might be able to show the love of God?  Are they valuable enough to invite them to a game (even if you cheer for different teams) or a meal, listen to their point of view (even if you think that it might be wrong), and only share your thoughts in love and gentleness as a means to both of you finding the truth together?

If we follow Paul’s instructions here, maybe others can find a better way and receive the blessings of God just as we do.  After all, if someone was willing to share the good news about Jesus Christ with you, in a way that was worth listening to, shouldn’t we be willing to do the same?

From Sunday School lesson prepared for March 30, 2025

References:

• 1717 Bible Studies, 2 Timothy, © 2025 Christian Standard Media.
• Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
• The College Press NIV Commentary – 1, 2 Timothy & Titus, by C. Michael Moss.  © 1994 College Press Publishing Co.