“And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2 Timothy 2:26)
To fall into error is truly to fall into a ditch or to be held in a prison. People are ensnared by what they believe to be the truth. To convince them that their dearly held “truth” is in fact a lie, is a work that requires much meekness, gentleness, and patient presentation of the real truth.
With so much at stake, it is our duty to contend for the faith, but much care must be taken not to carnally strive with others. People are naturally defensive about what they believe to be true. To get someone out of a prison that they proudly consider a palace is a work of God indeed.
The Pharisees were blind leaders who had fallen into a ditch. Jesus told His disciples to leave them alone. Striving with them would be futile.
There is a time to speak, and a time to be silent. May we do both only by the Spirit of God.