Reading the Word

“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.” (Proverbs 26:20, ESV)

Understanding and Applying the Word

Perhaps the most damaging aspect of conflict is that it can be difficult to bring it to an end. Why is that? When we are hurt by someone else, it is natural for us to want to get even. We want to somehow inflict pain on the other person or gather others to our side so we feel justified in whatever took place. In most cases, we continue to engage in our quarrel by talking about the other person or the incident(s). As we talk to others, attitudes and actions are fed and the conflict continues.

Proverbs 26:20 reminds us that if we stop feeding a fire, it will go out. The same is true of quarreling. If we stop adding to the conflict, it will often fade away. We can do this by choosing not to talk poorly about the other person and by being careful with our actions. Conflict is difficult, but we only make it more difficult when we continue to engage in it. We need to learn to stop adding fuel to the fire.

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