Today's Passage: 2 Timothy 2

This whole passage has lots of great guidance.  Act as a soldier and be obedient to your commanding officer (God), and likewise act as an athlete and follow the rules while competing so that you are not disqualified. Remember that although we are limited in our abilities God's Word is not.  Don't argue over mere wording or points of view about God's Word for this just leads to confusion for those who listen.  Instead focus on the facts that God knows those who are His and those who are His must turn away from wickedness.

The verse however that caught me eye and I wish I would have found at the very beginning of my walk with Christ was verse 25. 

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant
them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

I can't tell you how many "arguments" I have been in with my none believing friends.  Sadly several of those arguments lead to hurt feelings or ended relationships.  As new believers we all posses this desire to prove to people that we are right.  Not necessarily for our benefit but mostly because they still see things the way we did before Christ.  This passage caries with it both gentleness and directness.  We as believers don't need to address those with different points of view with anger or hostility, but we must also not avoid having difficult conversations with them.  We must "gently instruct" with the hope that God will use our words for His purpose and reveal to them the truth. 

I challenge you this week to attempt another conversation with someone that you have shared with in the past but it didn't end well.  This time don't force your opinion just ask theirs and see where it leads.