I’ve recently seen a lot of scripture surfacing in some interesting places. Namely, I have seen more than a few non-Christians quoting verses of the Bible at Christians. I would guess that there are several reasons for this, but the main ones that come to mind are an attempt to point out Christian hypocrisy, and to sway the supposed Christian point of view. While I fully encourage pointing out hypocrisy among believers as often as possible (I’m a pastor, it’s part of my job), and I am more than open to a discussion that may very well sway viewpoints, I wanted to point out that quoting scripture to Christians is often like “preaching to the choir”.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, “preaching to the choir”, in this case, I’m suggesting that you are trying to convince people who are already convinced. And when you quote scripture to someone who likely understands scripture better than you do, you are not doing yourself any favors. I recently suggested to a friend that a quote they used online to argue a point was being taken out of context, and would not really be a strong argument to try to convince most Christians to their viewpoint.

Many Christians have grown up exposed to the Bible from an early age. They have heard, seen, sung, meditated upon, and been instructed in the Word for years, decades even. They have heard preachers, pastors, and ministers give their thoughts and opinions on the scriptures. Many of those same individuals have studied the Bible themselves for years as well, studying others that have studied for years, and so on, for centuries. And while it is often the case that individuals or even groups can interpret or live out the message of the Bible incorrectly, quoting one piece of scripture at a Christian is unlikely to get them to change their deeply held beliefs. This is especially true if it is coming from a non-believer during a heated argument.

Generally speaking, Christians tend to know the Bible better than most non-Christians do. That does not always mean that they live out the message of the Gospel as they should, but you will be hard-pressed to convince them of anything simply by quoting scripture at them. Trust me. As a pastor, I know this better than most people do.

But as I shared with my friend, there is one piece of scripture that is very hard to misinterpret, that I share over and over with Christians whenever their behavior starts to become a bit too hypocritical. I encouraged them, as I encourage you, to use it as often as necessary. It’s Mark 12:31. Here it is in context:

Mark 12:28-34

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.