Jump Start # 3613

Proverbs 17:14 “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.”

I’ve been reading William Baxter’s book on Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove. It’s about Civil War battles that took place in Arkansas. Baxter was an eyewitness to those things. I’ve have been looking for this book for a long, long time. The interest was not so much in those Civil War battles, but what Baxter said about the Restoration Movement. Baxter was a Christian and a college president. His insights bring a spiritual dimension about many of the people during that time.

One of his chapters is titled, “Petting the Tiger.” What a great phrase! I’ve been to be petting zoos. I’ve petted lamas, camels, and even sting rays in special aquariums. But one doesn’t pet a tiger. Baxter used that expression to describe the position he took during the war. He was more interested in peace with Christ than political peace.

And, our verse today is a grand reminder of what happens when you pet the tiger. Quarreling seems to be the season we are in. We see this from the road ways to political debates. Protests feed more quarreling and quarreling brings more strife. It’s easy to argue. When we voice our opinions there will often be push back from those who see things differently.

Our verse, though long-a-go written, sounds like the turning on of a facet. More likely, it’s the breaking of a dam. Those who have had wet basements, water leaks and hot water heaters that went bad know well the trouble with water. Mop and mop, get the fans out, and hope mildew and mold won’t follow.

Before the water comes, abandon the quarrel. Stop the argument before it begins. It takes two to quarrel, and if you refuse to participate, strife won’t appear. Easy to read that passage. Easy to see it sitting in a Bible class. But how does one abandon the quarrel?

First, you do not have to express your opinion on every subject. The weather, the economy, politics, climate, prices, wars—we all have thoughts and opinions about those things. Most of those topics we can do little about other than pray. Getting into arguments about things beyond our control becomes useless and it only separates and divides.

Second, there are some things that one must draw a line in the sand and take a stand upon. Paul was set for the defense of the Gospel and so must we. There are some things that are just wrong. There are some things that having different opinions on does matter.

Third, even when disagreeing, one can do that in a kind and gentle manner without being disagreeable. Throughout the N.T. we find connected to correction, the expression, gentleness. Correct, not with the intention of destroying and defeating, but rather with the hope of saving and restoring. Often it’s not the differing opinion, but the tone and attitude that brings about the strife. Forceful, demanding, threatening will most times produce a negative reaction and a fight will soon follow. Remaining calm is hard when the other person is heated, shouting and talking irresponsibly and unreasonably. Some don’t listen. They load the weapons and fire without realizing that two people are basically saying the same things.

Could this be why James tells us to be swift to hear and slow to speak and slow to anger? Thoughtful, kind, considerate and evidence wins arguments, not volume.

Turn off the water, before it spills over the sink and ruins things. Abandon the quarrel before strife begins. God knows. He knows what is right. Being right doesn’t give one permission to act wrong. Get the mop. Water has spilled over. People are upset. Now some are leaving. Feelings have been hurt. Words have been spoken that never should have. And, now, there is a lot of damage that never had to be there. If only someone knew when to abandon the quarrel.

Sure is much to think about in these times we are in…

Roger