Quarreling

October 8

Jeremiah 7-8

Psalm 111

Proverbs 24:19-20

I Timothy 6:1-10

Quarreling

“They are conceited and understand nothing.  They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” 

1 Timothy 6:4-5  NIV

We all know people who just love to argue.  If you say the sky is blue, they will insist it’s teal or that today it has a lot of clouds so it is more gray.  But if you said the sky was gray they would say it is blue.  They just like to argue for the sake of arguing.  “They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels.”  Whenever there is a controversy or conflict you can usually find them right in the middle of it.  If they aren’t part of it they will involve themselves by offering their opinion or telling everyone about it.  If you want to know what is going on, just ask them because they will tell you everything.  They love drama and they want to pull you into it if you will let them.  They are good at stirring up trouble, getting people to choose sides and creating constant friction.  They skillfully cause strife and discord with malicious talk, evil suspicions and envy.  Paul is giving a strong admonition to avoid people like this. 

“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”  Proverbs 20:3 NIV  “An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.” Proverbs 29:22 NIV   “Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and becomes passionate about strife not belonging to him.”  Proverbs 26:17 LSB   I love this imagery.  I have a Maltese.  She is sweet and gentle but if you grab her ears, she will go crazy.  One minute she is lying beside me and the next she is in attack mode.  It is so easy to get sucked into situations that are none of our business.  Someone tells us a story that does not concern us in the least and we become passionate about it.  We can even convince ourselves that we need to be involved to help when really it would be best if we didn’t even know about it.  We cannot help the situation and it would be better for our own sense of peace just to stay out of it.  “With no wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, strife quiets down.  Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”  Proverbs 26:20-21 LSB  “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.” Proverbs 17:14 LSB   James explained in 4:1-12 that the source of quarreling and conflicts is jealousy and discontentment.  When someone is unhappy and dissatisfied they want to bring others down with them.  His solution is to “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” LSB  The best approach when someone tries to pull you into drama is to stop them before they even tell you about the situation.  Ask them if it involves you and if it doesn’t then walk away before you even hear about it.  I know it is difficult to do this but God will honor your decision to not be involved in controversy.