16/08/2026
STOP WINNING ARGUMENTS AND START WINNING SOULS
An Apostolic Call to Ministers: Put Ego Down, Walk in Humility, and Lead People to Christ
By Apostle Dr. Raphael Kuche SP
“For we know in part and we prophesy in part.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:9 (NKJV)
A CALL TO ORDER
We spend too much time debating.
We debate doctrine.
We debate interpretations.
We debate personalities.
We debate who is right and who is wrong.
And sometimes, while we are busy trying to win an argument, we are losing the person standing in front of us.
This is a call to order to the Body of Christ, especially to ministers of the Gospel:
LET US STOP MAKING DEBATE THE CENTRE OF OUR MINISTRY AND PUT SOUL WINNING BACK AT THE CENTRE.
There is a place for defending the faith. There is a place for explaining Scripture. There is a place for correcting error.
But there is also a place for knowing when an argument is no longer producing Christ.
1. YOU ARE NOT THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF KNOWLEDGE
Man does not possess all knowledge.
We know in part.
The fact that God has given you revelation does not mean that you have received all revelation.
The fact that someone knows something you don't know does not make them your enemy.
The fact that another minister understands a subject differently does not automatically make them a heretic, ignorant or useless.
Sometimes, where you are strong, someone else may be weak; and where you are weak, someone else may be strong.
That is why we need one another.
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” — Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
A mature minister can say:
“I may not know everything.”
A mature minister can listen.
A mature minister can learn.
A mature minister can disagree without becoming disrespectful.
A mature minister can correct without humiliating.
And a mature minister can receive correction without becoming offended.
2. EGO CAN TURN KNOWLEDGE INTO A WEAPON
Knowledge is a blessing, but knowledge without love can become destructive.
“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” — 1 Corinthians 8:1 (NKJV)
The danger is not knowing too much.
The danger is thinking you know everything.
When ego enters ministry, every conversation becomes a competition.
You are no longer listening to understand.
You are listening for an opportunity to respond.
You are no longer trying to help someone.
You are trying to prove that you are right.
And eventually, the ministry becomes less about Christ and more about self.
That is dangerous.
3. NOT EVERY ARGUMENT DESERVES YOUR RESPONSE
The Bible gives ministers very clear warnings about useless controversies.
“But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.” — Titus 3:9 (NKJV)
“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” — 2 Timothy 2:23 (NKJV)
Some conversations do not require your response.
Some arguments will not produce repentance.
Some debates will not produce understanding.
Some controversies will only produce anger, division and wounded relationships.
Wisdom knows when to speak—and wisdom also knows when to walk away.
4. PRIDE IS OFTEN HIDING BEHIND CONSTANT CONTROVERSY
Scripture says:
“He is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions.” — 1 Timothy 6:4 (NKJV)
And:
“By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” — Proverbs 13:10 (NKJV)
Ask yourself:
Why must I always prove that I am right?
Why must everybody agree with me?
Why do I become angry when somebody challenges my understanding?
Am I defending Christ—or defending my ego?
That question can save a minister from many unnecessary battles.
5. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEFENDING THE FAITH AND LOVING ARGUMENTS
We must not misunderstand this message.
Christianity does not teach cowardice.
We are commanded to defend the faith and give biblical answers.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” — 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)
Paul also reasoned with people.
“Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.” — Acts 17:17 (NKJV)
Apollos also powerfully demonstrated the truth of Scripture.
“For he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.” — Acts 18:28 (NKJV)
So the issue is not reasoning.
The issue is not teaching truth.
The issue is not defending the Gospel.
The issue is quarrelsome, prideful and fruitless controversy.
The question is:
What is the fruit of this conversation?
Is Christ being glorified?
Is someone being helped?
Is truth being established?
Is a soul being brought closer to Jesus?
Or are two egos simply fighting for victory?
6. THE SERVANT OF GOD MUST NOT BE QUARRELSOME
Paul gives us the character expected of a servant of Christ:
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.” — 2 Timothy 2:24 (NKJV)
Notice the order:
Not quarrelsome.
Gentle.
Able to teach.
Patient.
You can be firm without being rude.
You can correct without insulting.
You can disagree without destroying someone's dignity.
You can stand for truth without becoming a person of strife.
7. REMEMBER WHO WE ARE TRYING TO WIN
Our assignment is soul winning.
We are not called to demonstrate that we are the smartest people in the room.
We are called to demonstrate Christ.
People come to us at different levels of spiritual maturity.
Some know Scripture deeply.
Others are still learning.
Some have strong faith.
Others are struggling to believe.
Some have been in church for decades.
Others are hearing the Gospel for the first time.
Therefore, we must learn how to carry people along.
“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” — Romans 14:1 (NKJV)
The weak should not be despised.
The immature should not be mocked.
The ignorant should not be humiliated.
They need discipleship.
8. JESUS DID NOT MOCK PEOPLE FOR THEIR IGNORANCE—HE WEPT
One of the most powerful pictures of the heart of Christ is found in John 11.
Jesus encountered people who did not understand everything.
And when He saw their grief, He did not respond with intellectual superiority.
Jesus wept.
“Jesus wept.” — John 11:35 (NKJV)
The heart of Christ is not merely concerned with proving a point.
The heart of Christ is concerned with people.
This must become the heart of the minister.
When people don't know, teach them.
When people misunderstand, guide them.
When people are weak, strengthen them.
When people are far from Christ, bring them closer.
When people are confused, show them the way.
9. DON'T WIN THE ARGUMENT AND LOSE THE SOUL
Imagine spending thirty minutes proving that you are right—and the person leaves feeling rejected, humiliated and further away from Christ.
What exactly did you win?
You won the argument.
But did you win the soul?
The Kingdom is not built by the number of arguments we win.
The Kingdom advances when people encounter Jesus.
Our goal should be:
TRUTH WITHOUT ARROGANCE.
CORRECTION WITHOUT HUMILIATION.
KNOWLEDGE WITH HUMILITY.
CONVICTION WITH LOVE.
DISCIPLESHIP WITH PATIENCE.
10. LET US LEARN TO CARRY PEOPLE FROM IGNORANCE TO LIGHT
We must stop expecting spiritually immature people to behave like spiritually mature people.
A baby does not walk like an adult.
A new believer will not understand everything immediately.
A person who has lived in darkness for years may need time to adjust to the light.
Our responsibility is to help them grow.
“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” — 1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV)
We don't throw away the baby because the baby cannot yet walk.
We help the baby grow.
Likewise, we don't reject people because they are still learning.
We disciple them.
11. LOVE MUST GUIDE OUR CORRECTION
If correction is necessary, let love be the motivation.
“Speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.” — Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)
Ask before correcting:
“Will this bring this person closer to Christ?”
If yes, proceed with wisdom.
If your intention is merely to embarrass them, defeat them or demonstrate superiority, check your heart first.
12. MINISTERS, LET US PUT EGO DOWN
The pulpit is not a platform for personal superiority.
The microphone is not a weapon.
The Bible is not am******on for personal battles.
Revelation is not a license for arrogance.
We are servants.
We are stewards.
We are shepherds.
We are soul winners.
And one day, we will give an account to God for how we treated the people He entrusted to us.
APOSTOLIC CALL TO ORDER
Therefore, to every minister, preacher, teacher, evangelist, prophet, pastor and believer:
LET US STOP FIGHTING OVER EVERYTHING.
LET US STOP TRYING TO PROVE OURSELVES.
LET US STOP TURNING EVERY DIFFERENCE INTO A WAR.
LET US STOP USING KNOWLEDGE TO DESTROY PEOPLE.
LET US PUT EGO DOWN.
LET US PICK LOVE UP.
LET US RETURN TO THE GREAT COMMISSION.
There are souls outside the church who need Jesus.
There are families that need restoration.
There are young people who need direction.
There are wounded people who need healing.
There are unbelievers who need to hear the Gospel.
There are people who don't need another argument.
THEY NEED CHRIST.
THE QUESTION
Before you enter your next debate, ask yourself:
“Is this worth a soul?”
“Will this conversation glorify Jesus?”
“Am I defending the faith or defending my ego?”
“Am I trying to win an argument, or am I trying to win a soul?”
Because sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is not to prove that you are right.
Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is love the person, teach the truth, and leave room for God to work.
FINAL CHARGE
Ministers of Christ, let us become soul winners again.
Let us be knowledgeable—but humble.
Let us be bold—but gentle.
Let us be truthful—but loving.
Let us defend the faith—but avoid foolish controversies.
Let us correct—but patiently.
Let us teach—but never humiliate.
Let us disagree—but never destroy.
DON'T WIN THE ARGUMENT AND LOSE THE SOUL.
WIN THE SOUL.
BUILD THE PERSON.
GLORIFY CHRIST.
— Apostle Dr. Raphael Kuche SP
Christ Impact for All Nations (CIfAN)
“Preaching Christ. Demonstrating Power. Impacting Nations.”
