One of my posts earlier this week concluded on the note that questions can be used by God to bring us to a better knowledge of Him or by Satan to lead us into deception and unbelief.
It will interest us to note that Church leaders and members are employed either by God or Satan for the corresponding jobs above. God may work through us to answer tough questions and strengthen the faith of others. Or the devil may work through us to chase them out of God’s house and stifle budding faith. Many such chasing and stifling have been done by Bible-wielding, tongues-speaking, passionate Christians. Christian leaders are not always innocent either.
One of the subtlest ways we throw people out of the faith is by handling their questions with little or no seriousness. It shows in our general view of questions and the weight we attach to specific questions. It also shows through the way we consider questioners. Are they challenging us, being a bother or simply seeking better understanding?
Questions are thinking gaps that must be filled with the truth of God’s word. They are puzzles that must be solved. Sometimes, instead of seeing the confusion and craving that questions represent, we brush them under the carpet and hurriedly move on. Questions must receive thorough answers, not casual answers. If we understand that wrong replies are waiting to fill the thinking gap, we will see questions from our members as divine opportunities to save them from deception. Do not treat questions flippantly. Don’t just snub questioners. Don’t consider them to be examiners who are bothering you or seeking to challenge you.
While we treat these questions flippantly, there are champions of darkness who freely sell false explanations and conclusions. It’s like refusing to teach your child about sex and having them fall into the trap of a bad teacher at school. Nature abhors space and will fill it with weeds unless we are conscious about weeding out and planting. It is not enough to weed out doubts, we must be sure to plant the Word in doubting minds and make them ambassadors of the answers instead. That is how to tackle social media pollutants. You take the questions at church or your home, punch holes into the arguments and let the congregation or children return online with stronger answers and explanations for their hope. You don’t fight false teachings by simply brushing the overtures in your congregation under the carpet and subtly promoting a culture of “no questions”. Questions will come. Be ready with the answers. That’s what God says. (1 Peter 3:15)
“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.” (1 Peter 3:13-16, NLT)
Sometimes, we handle questions disrespectfully by throwing answers at people instead of giving them the answers. God does not only call us to answer but to also do this gently and respectfully. It is important to acknowledge intelligent questions and those that sound silly. Then, we should diligently and gently answer them to the best of our ability with respect. After that, we must follow up to be sure that they have been answered. This must be done in an environment of respect for thinking. The point is not only that you answer but that they are answered. It is not about you – feeling knowledgeable. If it was, then feedback from the questioner would be unnecessary. It is about them – being answered and gaining knowledge of the truth.
Pious D. Serwonu
piousdserwonu@gmail.com
November 4, 2023.