Debate – To fight or quarrel in a heated disagreement.
God used this word 5 times in Scripture: 3 times to Israel in the Masoretic Text Old Testament, and twice to the Body of Christ in the Gospel of Grace (Romans thru Philemon).
In every instance in Scripture, debate carries a negative connotation.
Today the word debate has been redefined to mean “To take part in a formal discussion or a contest in which opposing sides of a question are presented; To deliberate with oneself or in one’s own mind”. This word has been redefined to simply mean “argue”.
See also Argue, Contend/Contentious, Strife, Strive