Proverbs 18:19: A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Insight
It is as if the closer the relationship, the wider the breach. The thread, once snapped, is not easily joined. As we are born by the same Word, as we feed on the same food, as we are animated by the same life, should we not, with all our lesser differences, hold to the unity of the Spirit? Chrysostom gives this rule: “Have but one enemy, the devil. With him never be reconciled; with your brother never fall out.” 1
Application
In Matthew 7:24–25, Jesus taught us about the absolute importance of obedience: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”
What has Jesus been instructing you to do lately from His Word and through His Spirit? Have you listened and obeyed, or is your pride still in the way? What broken relationship is the result of your unwillingness to submit to another? What next step should you take to hopefully end the contentions?
Motivation
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7
Usually it is our pride that gets offended, and our pride we try to protect, keeping contentions around forever. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, teach me to die quickly to my stubborn pride.
1. Bridges, C. (2001). Proverbs. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
