August 26 – Beyond Pettiness (2 Timothy 2:23-24)

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” (Proverbs 17:14)

IN WORD:
What is it in the human psyche that compels us to pursue a matter straight into the heart of a conflict? Do we just enjoy a good fight? For some reason, we frequently feel we must establish truth — as we see it — in even the most petty of disagreements. We often value our opinions more than we value our relationships.
Why is that? What is it that so captures our indignation that we will sacrifice friendships and feelings over something that just isn’t worth it? Blessed are those who do not have a contentious spirit within them, but most people at some time or another have struggled with one. It is human nature. We feel offended when people disagree with us, and we are bent on establishing who is right and wrong; even when there is no right and wrong.
Does this mean there’s no place for conflict? Obviously not. We are called to stand up for what is morally and spiritually right — to a point. Even Jesus was no stranger to conflict, and He is our model. But we must develop the discernment to know what is worth fighting for and what is not. Most of us find ourselves frequently confused on the issue.

IN DEED:
When you sense a conflict escalating, what is your response? Do you take it as a challenge to win? Or can you step back and assess whether it is really worth fighting for? Broken relationships are no pleasure to God. He even inspires the writer to call a quarrel “sin” a few verse later (Proverbs 17:19). Petty squabbles once begun are hard to stop. They do not suit a child of God.
Learn to practice a discipline of restraint. Do not run from an important issue, but neither should you pursue a pointless one. Let relationships become more important to you than petty proofs and problems. God has done so with us. We must do so with others.

“I have never yet known the Spirit of God to work where the Lord’s people were divided.” -D.L.Moody-