AVOIDING STRIFE WITH WISDOM
Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel. Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. Proverbs 20:3; 20
Do you ever find yourself itching to get into an argument? Maybe someone cuts you off in traffic, or a coworker makes a snide remark, and you feel that urge to fire back with something clever (or not-so-clever) and put them in their place. It’s a natural human response, but is it really the right thing to do?
In Proverbs 20:3, we’re told that “keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.” Did you catch that? It’s an honor to step away from strife. It takes more strength and wisdom to resist the temptation to engage in arguments than it does to get into them. Anyone can argue, but it takes real character to be the bigger person and walk away. Proverbs 22:20 reinforces this idea: “Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man.” If you surround yourself with people who are quick to anger and always looking for a fight, you’ll find yourself getting pulled into those arguments more often than not. But if you choose to distance yourself from those people and situations, you’ll be able to maintain a sense of peace and calm in your life.
Now, I know what you might be thinking. “But isn’t it important to stand up for myself? If someone insults me, shouldn’t I defend myself?” Of course it’s important to have boundaries and stand up for yourself when necessary. But there’s a difference between standing up for yourself and getting into unnecessary arguments. Sometimes the best way to defend yourself is to simply walk away and refuse to engage with someone who is trying to provoke you. Here’s the thing: when you choose to walk away from strife, you’re not just doing yourself a favor. You’re also setting an example for others. Your calm and measured response can diffuse tense situations and inspire others to do the same. As Proverbs 20:3 says, it’s an honor to keep away from strife. When you choose to honor yourself and others in this way, you’ll find that your relationships become stronger and more peaceful.
The next time you feel that urge to jump into an argument, take a deep breath and remember that it’s an honor to keep away from strife. Choose to be the bigger person, and you’ll find that your life is filled with more joy and less drama.