Christian Living

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It dawned on me some time ago that the course of my life has given me a position in the Lord’s work to see the often tragic consequences of spiritual dunces who stir up strife simply for the fun of it. People like this are called all sorts of names most of which are banned from this daily. Solomon commented on this in Proverbs 30:33 “Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.”

The Chinese philosopher, Lao-Tse stated, “Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear.”

I don’t think there is any earth shaking esoteric mystery here. Any farm boy knows the truth of the saying by observation. Most muddied up human messes work out better if they are not stirred up. Many marriages could be saved and move on to joy if the stirring was left off. The hatred of Absalom for his father David was set on fire by the manipulation of Bathsheba’s grandfather, Ahithophel. Hidden agendas are often beating in the bitter heart of the one stirring the pot.

It is more Christlike to consider following the adage in the last part of another of Solomon’s gems of wisdom: Proverbs 15:18 “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” The one throwing oil on troubled water will fare better with God in the long run.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2012 Use with credit.

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