Settle Conflict Honestly With Humility and Forgiveness – (Proverbs 25:8-10)
Daily Proverbs
Do not go hastily to court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor has put you to shame? Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another; lest he who hears it expose your shame, and your reputation be ruined.
Daily Bible Study
Conflict more than most circumstances exposes the attitudes and desires of our hearts for all to see. It's when we have conflict with others the true intentions of our heart come out. When conflict happens do we attack and destroy, or do we seek to understand others first? Do we try to get the best for ourselves despite what's right or wrong or do we put the needs and welfare of others ahead of our own? And do we honestly deal with the conflict in the best interest for all involved, esteeming others more than ourselves, or do we try to get everything we can for ourselves regardless of the cost? As a follower of Christ do we seek the good of others more than ourselves when involved in a conflict?
God's word encourages working out our conflict with a neighbor as it relates to our personal relationship with them. The Bible also warns the person with the contentious heart who is quick to argue, quick to start a conflict and in this case quick to go to court. Will in the end ruin their reputation and eventually themselves. The Bible tells us it's better to work things out, rather than expose one's self to the public shame of court. A place where all the details will be exposed and any secrets that were previously hidden will be said out loud. Over all these passages speak of our relationships with those around us. And how our actions display the true attitudes of our hearts. The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Roman Christians, "as much as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." We are to remember, our day to day interactions with others are meant to be a light of Christ to a dark and dying world.