Sept. 17, 2006
click here Visit the Recover In Christ web site. click here to visit michael shull web site. Proverbs Day 266 (KJV): Proverbs 25:8-10 (KJV): 8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. Proverbs 25:8-10 (AMP): 8 Rush not forth soon to quarrel (before magistrates or elsewhere), lest you know not what to do in the end when your neighbor has put you to shame. 9 Argue your cause with your neighbor himself; discover not and disclose not another's secret, 10 Lest he who hears you revile you and bring shame upon you and your ill repute have no end. Thoughts for the Day These verses from Proverbs warn us not to get into a public quarrel, but rather, try to settle the problem with our neighbor first privately, as he could testify against us and take us to court and they could rule in his favor and we could end up in shame. The Bible counsels us to avoid strife and court, if at all possible, as the Lord wants us to walk in peace with all men. It is much better to take an humble position and try to work out our differences with a neighbor, than to get in strife and end up in court. We are not to go and gossip about the matter, telling secrets to others, as this will only rile the neighbor more and he could cause more trouble. We have no guarantee as to the judge ruling in our favor and we may even be in the wrong to some degree. If we are proven wrong, the Bible tells us to agree with our adversary quickly, as he can deliver us to the judge and the judge can rule that we are to be given over to the officer to lock us in prison and we will not be released until we have paid our penalty in full.
