What does the Bible say about debating non-believers?
- RD Montgomery
- Apr 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 8
All over the internet right now there are people in debates about just about everything. One of them is an ongoing and never-ending fight between believers and non-believers. A non-believer is someone like an agnostic, atheist, anti-theist or someone who subscribes to a different faith. Anti-theists differ from atheists because they hate what they believe believers do to their lives and society.
A debate without structure and respect is contentious. It is two or more people battling it out to convince their opponent they are right. As disciples, we want to avoid debating and keep it at a discussion level. We want to talk to non-believers (and everyone else) with love and understanding.
Some people out there identifying themselves as Christian are acting in hateful and shameful ways. They treat non-believers as the enemy and act as though it is "anything goes." This makes it harder for loving Christ-followers to minister to them if an opportunity arises.
Also, if you are online, it doesn't matter how many other "Christians" like your posts and replies. It only matters if God likes what you have to say.
Using discernment
Through time and experience, I have established for myself the "three-exchange rule." It's not for those times when someone's clearly just out to be hostile; you can usually spot that right away. But if I'm not sure or I want to test the water, I use it. The rule is to discern and establish when to walk away from a debate that's clearly going nowhere. I try to keep it to three replies or fewer, only going over if I am still uncertain. If I am certain the person is only interested in debating, not in what I have to say, I politely walk away. Sometimes the person will try to bait me to continue, but that is further evidence that stopping is the right call.
Why do I reply at all?
There are two kinds of non-believers. The ones in the gateway and the ones outside the walls. The Bible doesn't use this exact language, but I believe you will see as we continue, the metaphor fits. So, my goal in throwing out a few replies is to see if I think they are outside the wall or not.
The ones outside the wall
Here are the characteristics I normally observe in people outside the wall:
Closed-mindedness
Assumes all evidence contrary to their opinion is fabricated, false, or does not exist.
Assumes all personal testimonies are wishful thinking, delusional, coincidental, lies, or bad correlation
Only interested in telling you why you are wrong
Dismissal of some or all of the Bible
Sometimes hostile towards God
May have had a negative experience with some Christians or a church
May suggest that believers are uneducated, brainwashed, or unenlightened by science
May be part of a group with a lifestyle that the Bible classifies as sinful and thus gets harassed by people saying they are Christians
Often angry or argumentative when confronted with the gospel
Let's see with what the Scripture says about them:
1 Corinthians 2:14: "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 4:4: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
People outside the wall, at least for now, have no interest in change. We sometimes call them people with hard hearts. The Holy Spirit is not interacting with them so that they can understand. For that reason, their minds are blinded and what they hear of spiritual things seems foolish to them. No seed can be planted there yet (Matthew 13:19).
The Bible goes a step further. It is not just a matter of wasting your time. You are told not to do it.
Matthew 7:6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
Matthew 10:14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
Another reason we avoid these types of debates is because the more we reply, the more they share their opinions and views to anyone else who is listening or reading. Your debate may be doing more harm than good.
Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Lastly, we avoid these types of debates because as they go on and on we look foolish and it can lead us to frustration and into sinful behavior.
Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
This is not to say that you can't talk to non-believers who are not ready to hear the truth. If you have an opportunity to have a discussion with mutual respect, you may learn their perspective and show them you are "safe" to talk to in the future.
People in the gateway
Outside the wall, there is nothing but darkness. What draws people to the gateway is light. Jesus brought light John 1:4-5 and He expects us to be light Matthew 5:14-16. It is here the Holy Spirit can show them truth John 16:8-11.
Here are some characteristics I have seen in people in the gateway:
Openness to dialogue.
Willingness to consider what the Bible says.
Ability to understand basic spiritual concepts.
May have questions or doubts, but not outright rejection.
Here are some examples of people in the gateway:
Nicodemus (John 3:1-20)—He came to Jesus at night, acknowledging Jesus' divine origin. He was seeking, asking questions, and engaging.
Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)—His life changed because he wanted to see the Jesus so badly he climbed a tree
The Rich Young Man (Matthew 19:16-22)—The rich young man/ruler came to Jesus, but when Jesus told him the cost, he turned away.
Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-38)—Here is a man that we see curious but unable to figure out what the passage from Isaiah 53 was saying.
If you encounter someone in the gateway, your job is not to convince them to come on into the Kingdom. It is to help them where you can.
Here are some guidelines to follow if you intend to help:
You pray for them.
You do not rush anyone or try to manipulate them to move faster than they are ready. Be persuasive by using Scripture and your personal testimony but not pushy.
You do not lie to them. You tell them that following Christ is, at times, an uncomfortable, inconvenient, and sacrificial life. Their remaining life in this age should cease to be about them and be about other people. Also, tell them that discipleship requires training.
You ask questions to see if they understand who God is, and who they are to God.
You ask questions to see if they understand the Gospel that can change their current relationship with God.
Be a good listener so that you help them with 3 and 4 as much as you can using Scripture. It may be all that you are called to do is to plant some seeds and God will send someone else their way to finish. It is also possible that if you are God's choice to go the distance, you may talk to this person for a very long time.
Be prepared to stop. Not everyone who comes into the gateway chooses to follow Christ and become a citizen of the Kingdom. You are not responsible for the outcome and it doesn't mean you have failed. People walked away from Jesus too.
So, what does the Bible say about debating non-believers?
It tells us to be careful and to avoid contentious debates that the hearer won't receive or understand. We should be ready to engage with those who are seeking, offering them guidance and truth. May God give us the wisdom to stop when needed and the courage to share when there is a genuine opportunity.
Scripture used or considered in the writing of "What does the Bible say about debating non-believers?" By RD Montgomery. All Scripture quoted is in ESV format unless otherwise specified.
Psalm 53:1
Proverbs 9:7
Proverbs 10:19
Proverbs 12:23
Proverbs 13:16
Proverbs 15:2
Proverbs 18:2
Proverbs 26:4
Isaiah 32:6
Matthew 5:14-16
Matthew 7:6
Matthew 10:14
Matthew 13:19
Matthew 19:16-22
John 1:4-5
John 3:1-20
John 16:8-11
Acts 8:26-38
Romans 10:19
1 Corinthians 2:14
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
2 Corinthians 4:4
Ephesians 6:12
Titus 3:9
James 1:19-20
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