Should Christians Argue with Non-Believers?

I have spent several days on another blog watching an interaction with a professed atheist and professing Christians. There was a clear divide between those who seemed to be true believers and those that say they are Christian, but don’t follow the Bible. It actually helped reaffirm what Scripture says about all non-believers: those who admit it, and those who say they believe, but are not truly saved.

We as Christians are to be witnesses to the world, and be willing to suffer persecution for our faith. At the same time, it is not we who save anyone – it is God through His Son, Jesus Christ by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. So at a certain point, when witnessing to anyone, we need to back off kindly and move on. We aren’t to argue with a non-believer.

Why shouldn't Christians argue with non-believers?

Here are some things that Scripture says about non believers (which definitely applies to those who say they are Christian, but who are not born again)

They deny the authority of Scripture. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” II Timothy 3:16. “Nevertheless what saith the scripture?...” Galatians 4:30. “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,…?” James 4:5. They are no different than the serpent in the garden. “Yea, hath God said,…?” Genesis 3:1

They have no desire to witness to the lost. "Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;" Psalm 107:2

Their only desire is to edify (build up) themselves by proving that their way is better than everybody else's.It's not others' souls they are concerned about - it's about being "right". "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 16:25.

They follow a false Christ and they are playing church. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." II Timothy 4:3-4

Why shouldn't Christians argue with non-believers?

Because unless God is drawing them, they won't listen to anyone. "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him..." John 6:44

They are lost, just as the atheist is lost. "For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me." Isaiah 47:10

Scripture tells us we're not to argue with people like this. "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers." II Timothy 2:14

These are the tares among God's wheat. "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." Matthew 13:30

If you are frustrated because you are witnessing to one who is lost, and you feel you’ve exhausted all your efforts and they still deny the truth, God says you should back off and go your way. “And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” Luke 9:5

Put them in God’s hands. “Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.” Psalm 35:1. God can deal with them much better than you can.

Jesus himself did not argue (strive, i.e: Greek “erizo”, meaning to wrangle, engage in strife). “He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.” Matthew 12:19. So neither should we.

Does that mean we should never discuss our faith with non-believers, or answer questions that they may have, or even give evidence of why they too should become Christians? Not at all. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" I Peter 3:15.

Keep this rule in mind when witnessing. Let this sink in, because it is extremely important.

If the person you are trying to witness to has no questions, and only answers - you are wasting your time. They are not being drawn by the Holy Spirit.

Good, well meaning Christians can disagree on some things in a friendly way, and we'll all find out we were wrong on some things and right on others. But who is the final authority? God is. Through His Word. Without His word, it's just one man's opinion against another's.

The sad truth is that because of pride, most of mankind will remain lost for eternity.

“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive (Greek “agonizomai”, meaning to labor fervently or to struggle with difficulties) to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke 13:23-24

Should you ever give up? No. Even if you have backed off and decided not to strive with someone over their lost condition, there is one very powerful thing you can still do.

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16