Listening to the Holy Spirit:
Strife is the breeding ground of hatred. Do not allow what can be barred to become the common king. Do not answer with disrespect, tearing again at the soul, for raising the matter again is not in the betterment of others, but only in the satisfaction of reflecting back again the pain. Those who bicker and repeat to memory the offense, grow a garden of thickets that feeds no one, and entangles those who tread its path. My Spirit that I give you, allows the gift of great counsel to one another. Bring these words, and healing will flow instead opening again the wound. Forgive and give grace, and encourage those repeating their strife, that the way of escape is not the biting circle, but in the following of the heart lead by God. Avoid those who find joy in conflict. If there is no escape, bring words of encouragement, and leave no others. Do not enter the strife, and be My mediator to those who have none.
Prv 15:2 (NASB) – The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
Prv 20:3 (ESV) – It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
Matt 5:9 (ESV) – Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God.
James 3:18 (ESV) – And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Col 3:12 (ESV) – Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Taking It to Work:
It seems there is an art to living peaceably with others. There is also an art to sharing truth with others in a non-offensive way. There is also an art to knowing when we should share, and when it is prudent not to, even if the truth would theoretically help the situation.
The Bible says, “A wise man makes knowledge appealing,” and I believe it was Mary Poppins who said, “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.” Both sayings have wisdom. We have all been in a situation where someone was trying to force their opinion on us. Either the timing wasn’t right, or the way they were approaching us was wrong, but for whatever reason, we did not want to buy what they were selling. Our emotions rose. And once they did, it didn’t matter if the truth was that we would save money or time, or that it would “change our life!”. The problem was that we were not in the frame of mind to receive that message, even if it were truth.
We live in a time where strife and argument can break out in an instant. Political opinions, affiliations, as well as personal beliefs, can create the environment for emotions and emojis to run untamed. We may have strong convictions, and want to share the truth, but we are to be very careful when and where, as not to enter into strife. Proverbs says that avoiding strife brings a man honor, and it is the fool that brings on the quarrel. Jesus himself made it clear, blessed are the peacemakers.
Now we are not called to relinquish what we believe, but our commitment to loving our fellow man cannot be thrown to the side. We have the tough job of not only expressing the truth, but doing it without causing quarrels. Honoring the other person’s opinions, even without agreeing with them, in hopes that they may then listen to our truth, when the time is right.
Sometimes we will never get there though, and if we find ourselves in a place where strife is right around the corner, and you really can’t bring truth, it is our job to at least try to bring His peace. The workplace is one of the most common places where these heated discussions can take place, but around this time of the year, even more volatile, is around the holiday table when Uncle Squabble and Aunt Bicker come over to visit. That time of the year is coming up. You might want to memorize Col 3:12 in preparation, as His Word works in you, and hopefully Uncle Squabble, today.
