Walk Of Life – Day 17 – February 2022 – Thoughts From The Book Of Proverbs – Love!
Love to stop contention
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before the dispute breaks out. Proverb 17:14
The Letter of James to the early churches expounds on a believers life and their attitude as Christians. From the life of first brothers Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis, we see that greed, selfish ambition, jealousy and anger are the root of all quarrels.
When God looked at Abel’s offering with favor, Cain was very angry and his face was down cast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Cain in his anger and jealousy killed his brother Abel. This is the first quarrel in the history of mankind and lead to the murder of an innocent brother. Great King Solomon compares contention to breaching of a dam which when not mended leads to flood resulting in destruction of property and life.
Greed, selfish ambition, jealousy and anger are sins we all struggle to overcome in our lives at one or the other point of time. These are the areas where Satan works strongly in a Christian’s life to bring divisions in the churches, between families, brothers and sisters, wife and husband.
Sprit of contention can only be overcome by possessing the MIND of CHRIST (Philippians 2:5). Bible teaches us how men of God dealt with quarrels.
- PRAY for Guidance – When a dispute arose between Grecian and Hebrew Jews regarding distribution of food, the disciples prayerfully choose seven godly men for the job and gave the responsibility to them. This proposal settled the dispute.
- Display LOVE – Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for them. By doing so we will restore peace in our hearts and will be called children of God. If we have to do this for those who hate or condemn us how much more we need to pray for our brethren when any dispute arises.
- JUDGE not – During Jesus ministry teachers of law brought an unclean women to be judged. Knowing that it was a trap, he asked whoever is without sin can stone the women first. To this the elderly started to go back till none were left. So, we need to remove the plank from our own eye first.
- FORGIVE and LET GO attitude – A quarrel broke between Isaac’s and Gerar’s herdsmen regarding the wells he had dug. Isaac had to let go of two wells to maintain peace. Because of this they did not oppose Isaac when he dug the third well. In turn Isaac received God’s blessings.
- KIND words – Colossian 4:6 says let you conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. By this you will be known as disciples of Jesus.
- SERVE one another – When James and John asked if they can sit beside Jesus in heaven, other disciples were angry and annoyed at them. But Jesus said to them “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-44
- Be PEACEMAKERS – When dispute arose between Abram and Lot’s herdsmen, Abram let Lot choose first to restore peace in the family. For this Abram was blessed.
From the above examples, we saw how some of the great characters in bible dealt with quarrels and disputes by depending on Godly wisdom and were greatly blessed. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14:19
