But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene… Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil after being capture by him to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:16-17a, 23-26
It seems the world is filled with controversy. A common saying goes, “Never talk about three things: religion, politics, and sports” (the latter is sometimes replaced with money). Why? Because they breed controversy and quarrels! Paul’s exhortation to Pastor Timothy is never to engage in “irreverent babble,” “ignorant controversies,” and not to be “quarrelsome.” But then he says the Lord’s servant must correct his opponents that it may lead to repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth! How else does this happen if not by controversy and quarrels?! The point is not that we never enter any kind of controversy, since even Paul does this with the issue of circumcision in Galatians and the resurrection of the dead (and therefore Jesus) in 1 Corinthians, because these doctrines are essential to get straight in the Christian faith. The point is that we do not enter controversies that are irreverent (disrespectful) and foolish.
These are easy enough to identify, especially on the internet. If someone is irreverent toward you or someone else—if they disrespect you, dishonour you, slander you—even on vital matters of doctrine, avoid it. If on Facebook, turn off notification alerts (or block if necessary). If on Twitter, mute them, or even block them if they become too abusive. And so on.
What is foolish controversy? Any conversation that is not done in good faith and does not explain everything in the kindest way. Whenever the 8th Commandment is broken, that’s a good sign to step away, whether it’s perpetrated by you or the other. If someone is spreading a heresy online, should I confront them about it? I say no, because there is not a single person on the internet who wants to engage in cordial dialogue with an open mind to be dissuaded from their position, not even you. Therefore, stay away from it. Conversations like that are much better to have in person. I’m not the best at stepping away; all of us need improvement in this.
Whenever you are able to teach, be gentle and patient. Don’t listen to respond; listen to understand. Explain what you believe, teach, and confess in the kindest way. The goal is not to win the argument, but that God might grant them repentance and therefore know the truth of His Word. This means their repentance depends on the Holy Spirit, not your eloquent ability to persuade. Trust the Holy Spirit enough that He knows what He’s doing.
The Lutheran Column 