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Locusts & Gossip Ep. #120 Joel 1:1-20
The Prophet Joel gives an excellent example of leadership in identifying the cause of a physical problem and how it relates to a spiritual problem. He identifies the cause, the effect and the solution.
Bob Kuebler
9/15/20262 min read
Is Debate An Argument?
Part One
A Locust Argument
“Hear this, O elders, Listen closely, all inhabitants of the land! Has such a thing as this occurred in your days, Or even in the days of your fathers? Tell your children about it, And let your children tell their children, And their children the next generation. ¶What the gnawing locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; And what the swarming locust has left, the creeping locust has eaten; And what the creeping locust has left, the stripping locust has eaten [in judgment of Judah].” Joel 1:2-4 AMP
The Prophet Joel is not having a debate with anyone. He’s presenting an argument to inform and persuade. He’s telling the people to pay attention to the underlying cause of the plague of locusts. God can use disasters from nature to bring judgement on us when we ignore Him and go our own way.
Four Key Argument or Persuasive Points from Joel 1
1. Teach the next generation how to avoid locust plagues (God’s judgement.)
2. Rely on and trust in God.
3. It’s good to cry out to God in hard times.
4. Reevaluate your life. Examine your heart and your habits.
Most Bible commentators believe there weren’t four different types of locusts in Joel. They represent different stages in the destruction (judgement) process. It would be like four stages of gossip that can destroy someone’s character.
Four Stages of Gossip
1. We think about somebody in a negative way.
2. We put our negative thoughts into words.
3. The person to whom we give our negative words repeats them.
4. Eventually the whole school hears the negativity we started.
What Separates An Argument from A Debate?
It All Depends On the Fuel!
What is the driving motivation behind your discussion? Are you trying to win an argument or remain teachable in a debate?
An argument can be similar to a debate as there may be a discussion of opposing viewpoints. Arguments can be highly charged emotional responses with yelling and screaming. They can also be similar to what the Prophet Joel did in presenting an argument logically with facts and proof. Persuading people is best done through a calm demeanor focused on factual evidence.
An argument can be a war of words, a reason for doing something or a discussion (like a debate.) It’s important to be aware of the possibility that a discussion can devolve into a war of words. Keep respect, teachability and humility in the forefront of your mind at all times.
The Overlap of Argument & Debate
One of the reasons this book is dedicated to the memory of Charlie Kirk is his ability to respect those who vehemently and sometimes viciously argued with him.
He approached all discussions as a respectful debate with evidence and facts. He respected those who argued no matter how nasty their argumentative behavior became.
Charlie may not have been the loudest voice, but he was the most persuasive voice because if his calm demeanor.
“A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.” Proverbs 15:1 GNT
“Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.” Proverbs 25:15 MSG
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