From Pastor John Collins:
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” Matthew 18:15 (NKJV).
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20 (NKJV).
Wouldn’t it be lovely if we lived in a world where people actually took this to heart? The truth is that we are a bloodthirsty, angry, confrontational and combative people. The Coliseum of Rome held death matches for people and animals and the stands were filled, public hangings and burnings brought crowds time and again, and mobs form as rioting occurs while people revel in ferocious displays of aggressive behavior.
Arguing and fighting is exhausting. There are so many people that have become accustomed to living their lives in continuous battles. Some people are just argumentative and don’t know any other way. When most people encounter confrontational behavior they become defensive and respond in the same manner.
It is very difficult but if you don’t want to live this way and you are then you must choose to disengage and distance yourself from the provocation of fighting. You have to learn to react differently and to act differently. Sometimes this means walking away from those that you are close to. This behavior that is dramatic and disruptive is not conducive to walking through the gates of heaven. Sometimes you have to make a choice about where you want to go and begin to actively work to get there.
There are families that communicate by fighting and there are some who will never stop pushing those buttons. Sometimes you just have to choose to take the high road and walk away. If you are a person who is easily drawn into battle and quickly angered you need to avoid those triggers and seek a peaceful existence. It won’t be immediate but it can come if you work at it and make better choices.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NKJV).
