What Do You Want To Talk About?

Scripture:

Titus 3:9 But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Observation:

Conversations are to be edifying experiences and not those that are destructive to the lives of individuals.  Here, the author of the letter to Titus reminds him about the importance of good conversation.  For this to occur you must “avoid stupid controversies.”  Yes, it seems there were “stupid controversies” even back in the first century and they were a waste of time. 

At the same time there were those who liked to trace their roots in an endeavor to prove their heritage.  Being related to particularly important individuals was of great importance to a number of people.

The law, whether secular or religious was always up for discussion.  Maybe it had to do with politics and constantly bringing the political into the conversation. 

Titus is warned that all of these are “unprofitable and worthless.”  It brings us to a question of conversation.  What do you want to talk about?

Application:

There are certain conversations that will not lead to any type of conclusion, but will instead lead us to frustration.  Titus is told that these are “unprofitable and worthless.”  This may be the case but I think that we do have a tendency to be drawn toward these types of conversations.  Instead, how can we be intentional about having good conversations? 

Somehow I think that we have been losing the art of conversation in this day of technology.  It has become easier to communicate with short texts and electronic messaging but is that really helping us?  Maybe we are able to stay connected over long distances but what about when we sit around the table and simply chat.  What happens then?

I’ve seen a number of people who have decided when they sit down at a restaurant they must all put their phones down.  The first one to pick up their phone has to pay the bill!  Now, that’s being intentional.  However, that’s being intentional about the distractions to conversation, but what about the conversation itself?  How do we become intentional about keeping the conversation positive and about things that have eternal meaning? We must recognize the temptation to be drawn into negative and divisive conversations -- and fight that temptation.  Intentionally keeping the conversations on those things which can be edifying.

So where do we go from here?  First of all, let’s work at having conversation.  Put down the electronic devices and look our friends and family in the eye and talk!  Next, let’s try to focus our conversations around those things which are important and see what happens.  Ask your friends today, “What do you want to talk about?”

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that there will be great conversations today and seasoned by you.  Amen.