Take a breath

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

TAKE A BREATH

Prov 20:3

3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

NIV

There are previous Proverbs that have had a very similar sentiment. Yet this still voices it in a different manner. Strife is destructive in so many ways. But it is the reason for strife which needs the examination. Here we see it is the fool who will rush into an argument, a quarrel which is strife or the surface cause of strife. But it is the reason for this quarreling which requires a look into. Why do we quarrel? Why do we start an argument which is in fact quarreling and strife? It would seem the main reason is self-centeredness. We simply want to be right, we want to have the correct view, the correct answer or be on the right side of an issue. We want to be smarter, brighter, higher than all others. No one knows more about it then we do. We think we did nothing wrong, it is always the other persons reason for any discord at all. That type of thinking will almost always lead to some kind of quarrel which in turn becomes strife. Strife is the direct opposite of harmony. The Hebrew word translated as strife carries the meaning of a contest. That is exactly what it is, a contest to win, being right. When these contests arise, it disturbs harmony. We are told as far as it depends on us, to make every effort to live in peace with all men.

Rom 12:17-19

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

NIV

This is at the very core of avoiding strife. We need to sit back and listen. We need to take a breath and relax. We need to allow others to have their say and simply reflect on their view of the matter. It is not always necessary to correct people if they speak from their perspective. In fact, they could actually be right. We are admonished to encourage each other rather than tear each other down.

1 Thess 5:11

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

NIV

Heb 3:12-13

 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

NIV

So let us rid ourselves of self- centered thinking and avoid strife thus living in peace, or harmony with others. Let us just sit back and take a breath.