Contend Without Being Contentious

“How do we contend for the faith biblically without becoming quarrelsome and contentious?” A member of my (Barry’s) congregation posed this thoughtful yet difficult question when our church was studying the letter of Jude.

In his purpose statement (vv. 3–4), Jude says he wants to write about the salvation he shares in common with his recipients. However, he finds it necessary instead to exhort them to “contend for the faith.”

What does obeying this exhortation involve? Before we contend for the faith, it’s essential to clarify how to approach confrontation and why we’re seeking to confront in the first place.

Knowing myself, I (Ben) can have many sinful and unhelpful reasons for confronting; my pride often tempts me to seek my glory in confrontation rather than seeking the Lord’s glory. Yet when our motivation is wrong, our manner is too. Then, contending can quickly become contentiousness.

Jude gives us a better way.

Why and How To Confront

His letter provides a framework for Christians to discern when we should confront error, and with what level of intensity. Jude provides four basic confrontation categories that will help us defend the truth without becoming quarrelsome.

1. Oppose deceivers (v. 4).

We must be able to distinguish between those who are confused and those who are deceivers. Not everyone who errs is a malicious false teacher. Some simply need patient guidance, instruction, and compassionate discipleship.

Jude’s letter provides a framework for Christians to discern when we should confront error, and with what level of intensity.

But others actively promote error, refuse to submit to biblical authority, or sow seeds of division that can lead God’s people away from Christ. Jude has deceivers in mind as his primary concern in his letter. He’s concerned not just that they’re in error but that they’re influential. For that reason, he wants the church to have the Spirit-led courage to confront the deceivers’ errors.

Such contending requires wisdom. For pastors, it can involve correcting false teaching both privately and publicly. You may need to warn your church about dangerous influences or refuse to give a platform to those who persistently distort the gospel.

Remember, Paul instructs elders to rebuke those who contradict sound doctrine (Titus 1:9) and to protect God’s flock from spiritual wolves (Acts 20:28–31). He also warns congregations to watch out for divisive teachers (Rom. 16:17–18).

When we confront deceivers, our aim isn’t to embarrass them or to win arguments. Rather, we contend for the faith because truth matters and because Christ’s church matters.

2. Instruct doubters (v. 22).

In the Christian life, we encounter many who have doubts about the faith. They know the truth, but they struggle to believe it. Instructing those who doubt may not seem like contending for the faith at first, but gently clearing up their concerns strengthens both their faith and the church’s faith. Contending well for doubters can prevent them from wandering or even from becoming deceivers.

It’s an act of mercy (v. 22), and it must be done mercifully. When believers doubt or begin to waver on the truth, our responsibility isn’t to ruthlessly force truth on them. We also shouldn’t ignore their questions. Neither response is merciful. Instead, we must engage doubters’ questions with compassion, trusting that the Lord will reveal truth to them in his time.

Our belief in Scripture’s sufficiency is critical here. God’s Word, not our teaching or apologetic skill, possesses the power to reveal his truth. Doubts are many and various, but the Bible remains constant and trustworthy.

3. Warn wanderers (v. 23).

Between doubting and deceiving stands another category: wandering. Some in the church drift, or have drifted, toward dangerous doctrinal error or patterns of sin that, if left unchecked, will lead to their fall.

Jude prescribes the appropriate response: “Save others by snatching them out of the fire” (v. 23). His imagery conveys urgency. Those who wander are on the verge of spiritual catastrophe, so drastic measures are necessary.

Many Christians hesitate to confront because warning a fellow church member can feel uncomfortable and intrusive. But God’s Word regularly warns. It does so sternly but as an act of love.

For example, Jesus instructs believers to pursue a sinning brother so he might repent and be restored (Matt. 18:15–17). Paul tells the Galatians to restore those caught in transgression with a spirit of gentleness (6:1). And James writes that bringing back a wandering sinner saves him from destruction (5:19–20).

When we confront a wanderer, the goal is never condemnation but rescue. Jude calls us to urgent action because drift is spiritually dangerous. We’re to speak the truth in love so that members of Christ’s body, from the least to the greatest, may grow in every respect to maturity under his headship (Eph. 4:15).

4. Guard your heart (vv. 20–21).

In all our contending, Jude tells us to guard our hearts. This is unique among Jude’s contention categories because it’s the only one with an inward focus. When we contend, we’re on the offense, fighting for others’ souls. But we must also play defense, guarding the ground God has already claimed in our own hearts.

God’s Word, not our teaching or apologetic skill, possesses the power to reveal his truth.

How do we guard our hearts? How do we keep ourselves in the love of God (v. 21)? Jude offers three ways: build up your faith, pray, and wait expectantly for the Lord Jesus’s mercy (vv. 20–21).

The first two seem obvious. Of course building your faith through God’s Word and prayer will keep you from being deceived. However, Jude’s third instruction requires more thought. Waiting seems passive, but it’s an expectant act of faith that involves grounding our hearts in the gospel—actively remembering that Jesus is the One who is able to keep us from stumbling and who will finally make us stand in his glorious presence (vv. 24–25).

Before You Contend

We guard our hearts because running into confrontation too hastily only results in contentiousness. This quality is unbefitting of Christians, and particularly of church leaders (1 Tim. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:22–26). So be adequately prepared before you step in. Clarify your approach so you bring the right motivation and tone to each situation. Guard your heart, and above all, pray for yourself, your church, and those with whom you’re contending.

In an age marked by theological compromise and unnecessary outrage, we need church leaders who can do more than win arguments. We need elders, pastors, teachers, and faithful church members who know how to contend wisely, courageously, and graciously.