Arguing: April 5, 2013

Today's Word for Friday April 5, 2013

ARGUING

DEFINITION:

To present reason for or against a thing; oral disagreement; dispute; to persuade or compel by reasoning.

SCRIPTURE:

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it, you kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. James 4:1-2.

Pride only breeds quarrels. Proverbs 13:10

Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14.

But avoid foolish disputes, for they are unprofitable and useless. Titus 3:9.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

It seems that people do love to argue. Take the time to carefully watch people of all ages around you and listen carefully to their conversations and you will hear them arguing about anything and everything they happen to disagree on. This, you will find out, is true among family members, neighbors, and friends and even small children. It is human nature for one to argue. Some people like to argue just to argue.

James asks the question, "What causes fights and quarrels?" He gives us a straight-forward answer, "You want something but do not get it." These desires come from within us because of our sinful and corrupt natures.  And in this "ME" generation arguing is a major cause of discord in the family, the community and in the world. Everyone is looking out for self. In the heat of the moment we forget Jesus' commandment "to love one another." (John 15:17) Think about the truth in Paul's admonition in Titus 3:9: "foolish disputes are profitless and useless."

Even after we become Christians, we have to contend with our sinful nature. Pride is a big factor in arguments. Both parties think they are right and they want it their way. Most arguments have bad endings. They lead to break up of marriages, loss of friendships and even in some cases physical harm.

Some argue to protect a past behavior. Children argue with parents and parents with children over choices made concerning their daily walk. The only way we can conquer our sinful desire to argue is to submit to God and ask Him to take away our pride and change our attitude.

When we know Jesus and put our trust in Him daily, we are expected to do all things without complaining or disputing. This frankly means that we must not put ourselves first in our personal relationships. By showing love and consideration to others we will avoid foolish disputes. When you look back on an argument, and if you are really honest with yourself, it was a foolish dispute. When arguments happen there is very rarely a winner. There is a saying that "prayer changes things." More importantly, "PRAYER CHANGES US." Arguments are futile but prayer is never futile. 

With all that said, we need to work daily on our relationships with others so that an argument is not an option. It takes two to argue and we need to learn to respond to issues, even issues that normally would ignite an argument for us, with kindness and in love.

Starting today, seek to live a life that honors God and ask His help in dealing with situations that lead to arguments and broken relationships. Work today on living a life that honors God and avoid issues that usually lead you to an argument and which in turn moves you away from God. Try arguing less and praying more. Remember, God hears the prayer of the faithful.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 1:2.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:

Give me the strength today dear Lord, to avoid foolish disputes in my life. Help me to live my life today totally without complaining or arguing with someone. May others see Christ through my life and through my response to issues that in the past have led me into an argument. Give my family today wisdom and kindness to react with love to all they meet. Thank You dear Lord for making this day a day that I can look back on tonight saying that God has blessed me in a new and fresh way.