Silver Tongues and Honeyed Words
There's a common misconception regarding debate and argumentation. It's not exclusive to our time, but it's perhaps far easier to observe than ever before due to the technology of our day. The misconception is this: the person that wins an argument is the one most capable in verbal sparring. If one person is more articulate than his opponent, especially if they're witty in their banter, many who witness the debate will be won over by the silver tongue, regardless of the merit of his argument. Consequently, they will deride and think little of the silver tongue's opponent, even if that case is completely true. Truth, all too often, takes a backseat to smooth talking. Consider the words of Paul:
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple (Rom. 16:17-18).
We see from that passage, as mentioned before, that this problem is certainly not new. In writing to the Roman church, Paul in other words says this: \"Don't listen to someone just because they're good at talking. Make sure they're telling the truth.\" We all must \"work out\" our \"own salvation with fear and trembling\" (Phil. 2:12). That doesn't mean every person comes up with his own way of achieving salvation; it means that every individual must study and understand God's plan for themselves. That also doesn't mean others can't help you in your study; much to the contrary, we all need help in understanding the Bible. But if your beliefs, religious or otherwise, come solely from your favorite preacher, politician, or influencer, some self-reflection is necessary.
Why is this something that has to be warned against? Well, it's incredibly easy to assume that if someone is good at articulating his ideas, that means he must be very intelligent and therefore correct. And there the flaw in logic is demonstrated. Being articulate is a pretty good indicator of intelligence; but eloquence and IQ do not correlate with either correctness or morality; just like having big muscles does not make a bully right; it simply makes them more capable of exerting force upon the weak. In precisely the same way, having big intellectual muscles does not make a verbal bully or conman right, it simply makes them more capable of manipulating those with weaker minds. To give an extreme example, Vladimir Lenin was a very intelligent and articulate man. He was also a mass-murdering psychopath. Might does not make right; intellect, also, does not make right.
This phenomenon is exacerbated by computer technology and the rise of social media. Clickbait titles are very common, something along the lines of, \"Watch Atheist DESTROY Christian in this debate!!!\" It applies to the secular as well: \"Watch (insert political party member A) DESTROY (insert political party member B) in this debate!!!\" Not all, but most of these kinds of videos do not display good faith arguments. Instead, they put the person who scored the most verbal punches and the most adeptly applied ad hominem attacks on a pedestal; then they denigrate the opposer, regardless of which one is right. Keep this in mind, both in worldly and spiritual matters. Do not be taken in merely by honeyed words or impressive dialogical maneuvering.