"Chester Drawers"

by Steve Hale

"Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers" ( 2 Timothy 2:14, NASV).
The Ackermans had borrowed our baby chest of drawers for a little while. When they bought something else, David returned it and I placed it by the dining room table until we could figure out where to put it.
Noticing this new piece of furniture, Kimberly said: "Mama, what are you going to do with Chester Drawers?" My back was turned to her as I was sitting in the kitchen. Momentarily, I thought: "Who in the world is Chester Drawers?" Gently, her mother corrected her: "Honey, it's not Chester Drawers, but chest of drawers."
The word Paul uses in our text is logomacheo, which literally means: "to fight about words." Paul uses a similar word in his first epistle to Timothy: "...he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions" ( 1 Timothy 6:4).
We rhust "be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the wordlof truth" ( 2 Timothy 2:15) this means we will "...avoid worldly and empty chatter. It will lead to further ungodliness" (2 Tim. 2:16). Many word battles don't involve defending truth, but ego!
But, what can we do to avoid useless word battles? Here are some suggestions:
1. Communication. First, seek to' be understanding, and then to be understood.
After hearing something disturbing, repeat it in your own words and ask if this is what Was meant. Some word battles can be solved right here. Only after you properly understand what the speaker meant can you properly respond.
2. Sources. If some allegation is brought to your attention, ask where the speaker got his/her information. Souls and reputations are too precious to be squandered through "grapevine communications. "
3. Confrontation. Many times, allegations are just an excuse to gossip: "...and their talk will spread like gangrene..." ( 2 Timothy 2:17). Love demands personal confrontation, not malicious gossip ( Matthew 18:15-20).
Many times, problems we think are big are. As simple as "Chester Drawers." I once saw a church sign that said: "To make a mountain out of a molehill, just
add dirt." Let us avoid senseless word battles!

January 12, 1997

Related Articles:

Cold Feet -Feb 04, 2001
Speech Seasoned with Salt -May 02, 1999
Falling Down -Mar 21, 1999
What is Your Sign? -Feb 28, 1999
Words -Jan 31, 1999

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"Chester Drawers" by Steve Hale "Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers" ( 2 Timothy 2:14, NASV). The Ackermans had borrowed our baby chest of drawers for a little while. When they bought something else, David returned it and I placed it by the dining room table until we could figure out where to put it. Noticing this new piece of furniture, Kimberly said: "Mama, what are you going to do with Chester Drawers?" My back was turned to her as I was sitting in the kitchen. Momentarily, I thought: "Who in the world is Chester Drawers?" Gently, her mother corrected her: "Honey, it's not Chester Drawers, but chest of drawers." The word Paul uses in our text is logomacheo, which literally means: "to fight about words." Paul uses a similar word in his first epistle to Timothy: "...he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions" ( 1 Timothy 6:4). We rhust "be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the wordlof truth" ( 2 Timothy 2:15) this means we will "...avoid worldly and empty chatter. It will lead to further ungodliness" (2 Tim. 2:16). Many word battles don't involve defending truth, but ego! But, what can we do to avoid useless word battles? Here are some suggestions: 1. Communication. First, seek to' be understanding, and then to be understood. After hearing something disturbing, repeat it in your own words and ask if this is what Was meant. Some word battles can be solved right here. Only after you properly understand what the speaker meant can you properly respond. 2. Sources. If some allegation is brought to your attention, ask where the speaker got his/her information. Souls and reputations are too precious to be squandered through "grapevine communications. " 3. Confrontation. Many times, allegations are just an excuse to gossip: "...and their talk will spread like gangrene..." ( 2 Timothy 2:17). Love demands personal confrontation, not malicious gossip ( Matthew 18:15-20). Many times, problems we think are big are. As simple as "Chester Drawers." I once saw a church sign that said: "To make a mountain out of a molehill, just add dirt." Let us avoid senseless word battles! January 12, 1997 Related Articles: Cold Feet -Feb 04, 2001 Speech Seasoned with Salt -May 02, 1999 Falling Down -Mar 21, 1999 What is Your Sign? -Feb 28, 1999 Words -Jan 31, 1999 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM