THINK TOGETHER.
Are you quarrelsome? Do you like to argue with others?
READ TOGETHER
Proverbs 17:14. The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
Yesterday we learned that a good friend will forgive and “cover up” an offense. They don’t repeat things to others or tattle tale. In today’s proverb Solomon gives us another lesson in how to be a good friend – quit before the quarrel breaks out.
What every wise person knows is that strife (fighting, arguments, conflict) starts small and grows larger and larger. Solomon says it is like letting water out. The small leak gets bigger and bigger. Soon the water is gushing out and flooding everything. Our conflicts are the same way aren’t they? What begins as small drips, picking on each other, making mean jokes, taking each other’s things without asking, ignoring each other, soon turns into gushing arguments and insults and maybe even hitting or fighting.
Has this ever happened in your house? With your friends or classmates?
All of this comes from our pride which keeps us from being able to walk away when we feel offended or hurt.
So what should the wise person do? Quit. Walk away. Hold your tongue. Do everything possible to avoid a fight. This might seem like weakness, but it takes great strength to NOT fight and argue. Only the wisest and strongest can control their temper and tongue. The person who fears God can avoid strife and walk away from trouble. The person who knows that they are loved by Jesus can set their pride aside and choose peace instead.
Because of Jesus we have the power to avoid arguments and quarrels.
With Jesus we can walk away from strife and choose peace instead.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Make Romans 16a, “Live in harmony with one another”, a family memory verse.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, you didn’t argue even when people were putting you on the cross. Help me to always avoid fights whenever I can too. Amen.
TLICfamily 