Proverbs 20:3
It is an honor for a man to cease from strife; but every fool will be meddling.
Teaching our children to “cease from strife” is an important life skill for them to possess. Let us not confuse ceasing from strife and never dealing with things as the same thing. The Scriptures tell us that “love covers a multitude of sin” (Proverbs 10:2 hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.) Does that mean that if we show love to others we will never confront sin? Could this passage here in Proverbs being telling us that we are to avoid confrontation. No. I would like to suggest that this passage is reminding us again that there is a time and season for every purpose under heaven. It is a reminder that ceasing from strife it is not a sign of weakness instead it is a great honor to those that choose to end the conflict. There is a time to confront issues at hand and a time to refrain from doing so. The times that we refrain are not because we, personally, are avoiding the topic rather we refrain because we don’t have His peace to proceed. There is a time to answer a fool and a time not too (Proverbs 26). There is a time to confront someone and other times to just keep loving. Teaching our children this balance must be through our own example and discussing the details with them as God leads. Allowing them to pray with us through the conflict, hear us work the “flesh” our of the response and then see how God led and how we obeyed is a life gift we can give to our children. Conflict can be very uncomfortable however, if it is done in a God honoring way and His perfect timing, there can be great victory and growth. We should never enter a conflict, no matter how small, without great prayer and study of what God desires from us. The issue of dealing with conflict in a Biblical manner is a topic I encourage you to study for yourself. You’ll find that God is not silent on this topic and has much hope and instruction to offer us through His Word!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
Prayer: Lord, we know that we can’t always avoid conflict. We know there is a time and a season for all things. We pray for your grace in conflict. Help us show love even when we don’t think we have anymore love to offer. Help us teach our children how to honor you even in conflict. In Jesus Name we pray… amen!
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