One of the hardest things in life is allowing someone to "win" a disagreement — especially when we’re convinced that we're right. The Word of God teaches, however, that "losing" in the eyes of the world can mean "winning" in the eyes of God.
The Message Bible puts it this way:
"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family" (Matthew 5:9).
The devil will do anything to escalate a disagreement. He will remind us of what someone said, and how they said it. He will feed a tiny offense until it progresses into an explosive fight. Remember, the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy the unity in families, the love among believers, and the closeness in friendships.
we must pick our battles.”
As Christians, getting the “last word” shouldn’t be what’s most important. After all, even non-believers win a lot of debates. Instead, we should place a premium on how we treat and unify people. According to James 3:18, "Real wisdom, God's wisdom [...] is characterized by getting along with others. [...] You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God, and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other" (The Message Bible).
And trust me, it will be hard work!
Written by: Marsha DuCille - Publisher/Editorial Director
publisher @ calledmagazine.com
