By“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” — Proverbs 17:14 NIV
There’s one thing my mother kept telling her three sons when any of us had a grudge with another. She said, “forgive him and drop the matter.” Later, she’ll call the offended son and speak God’s Word to him. That helped us a lot because, to this day, we have hardly fought for years. However, I didn’t know she was practising scriptures before us until we grew to be men.
Proverbs 17:14 tells us to prevent quarrels by dropping matters before disputes break out. When an offence isn’t covered up and heartily forgiven, it develops into quarrels anytime the offender and offended speak about the issue.
Quarrels hurt so much. Words are sharper than knives. Knives can injure only the body, but words can harm both the soul and body and even bring trouble to your spirit.
Life and death lie in the power of your tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Therefore, choose the words you use wisely.
Instead of speaking rationally to create offences, think about how what you’ll say will minister grace to the hearer, including yourself.
Quarrels have left close friends separated, glorious marriages divorced, and people imprisoned in the hearts of their offenders. Drop the matters by addressing them in love and settling disputes amicably using the wisdom of God.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer
Oh God, help me overcome offences so that they’d not escalate to quarrels and hurts in my heart. Help me obey your command of forgiveness as written in Colossians 3:13. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 223
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