A fool’s 4 favorite pastimes

Ricky Ketchum

Jun 27, 2026

Avoid Foolish Controversies

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But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty.

Titus 3:9 (NET)

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What a waste of time and energy.

Although, every once in a while, it’s hard to resist the entertainment tug of these train wrecks.

We humans sure do love to stare at those things.

Think about all the low-value daytime TV shows centered around foolish fights.

Judges, talkshows, soap operas, “reality” TV?

Garbage.

🤮

But if you’re above all of that, social media might still suck you into its vortex.

Angry tweets, comments, threads, and posts throughout 𝕏, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.

Sure, all of those things can be used to drive friendships and connections across the world.

In fact I have several friends I talk to nearly every week who I only know via online media.

But the overwhelming majority of discussions seems to be negative quarrels.

Paul gave wisdom to one of his pastoral apprentices, Titus, and it’s useful for us today.

Nobody changes their mind because you out-argued them. Their ego won’t allow that.

Also, at the risk of sounding a little “woo”, it brings up a lot of negative energy. I’ve found that kind of thing puts my mind in a “funk” and it’s hard to enjoy life.

It’s all a waste of time and energy.

Useless and empty.

Don’t do it.

Instead, focus on the better things. The stuff that brings life & joy. We talked about children yesterday, but there’s also creating, recreation, and spending time with the Lord.

All things that are valuable and filling.

— Ricky Ketchum

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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