not quarrelsome, 1 Timothy 3:3c

Not quarrelsome doesn’t mean the person cannot express an opposing opinion on a matter. It just means the person knows when to step expressing that opinion in public. Of course that’s not always as easy it seems. But when you have an ongoing sense that people are observing you because of your role in the church, it changes how you act – or at lease it should. It goes back to a topic we discussed earlier, self-control. Yes, you could argue with someone until the cows come home, as they say, but is it wise or prudent? Whose interests are you serving?

Even with moral and doctrinal issues, knowing when to drop a topic is as important as it is wise.