Drip Resistant
Today's Verse:
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. ~Proverbs 27:15
A few years ago, we had a shower head in our bathroom that was leaking. There was a continuous dripping of water that resulted in us accumulating as much as 4-5 buckets of water per day. We were so happy the day we fixed it ourselves and the dripping was stopped. Solomon in our passage is using the picture of water dripping from a housetop during a rainy day and making this analogous to a marriage where the wife is constantly argumentative and debating with her husband. The sound of constant dripping eventually becomes annoying and causes the homeowner to lose sleep and become unable to concentrate. Perhaps you are on the receiving end of constant criticism, arguing, and contention. What do you do? This morning, let us see how we can be resistant to a continual dropping.
The analysis of a contentious relationship.
The first thing we must understand is that a contentious person is someone who is filled with much pride. “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom” (Proverbs 13:10). A proud person has a very large ego and personality. An overly inflated opinion of oneself makes this person very difficult to correct and make suggestions to. This type of person is also prone to finding wrong with everyone else except himself. When contention arises, this person brings back past issues over and over again. They seem to be unable to put closure on the past and want to remind you of something you did wrong. This person’s goal is to prove that you are wrong and he is always right. The second thing we must understand is that a contentious person tends to drift into debate and arguing as a way of controlling a relationship. A person who is contentious is held captive by a spiritual stronghold.
The ailment of a contentious relationship.
In every way, contention will wear away at you. You will despise being around that relationship. You will become gun-shy of saying or doing anything that could lead to more attacks. You will be annoyed; you will have restlessness in your soul; you will come to the place in life where you will look for a way of escape. A contentious relationship can morph you into a person who becomes critical, callous, and calculating. A contentious relationship can get the best of you and leave you in spiritual pieces. Your devotional and prayer life will suffer and you wind up becoming cynical and mean. Be careful of the poison that a contentious relationship can do to you.
The antidote for a contentious relationship.
There are three things we must do in a contentious relationship. The first is to respond with agape love. Love beareth all things. Love does not behave itself unseemly. Love suffers long and is kind. Love seeketh not its own, is not easily provoked, and thinketh no evil. The second thing we must do is overcome evil with good. Do not allow the wearing away from constant debating overcome you. Make corrections to your life where needed. Then, let the contentious person know you are thankful that they cared enough to let you know about what they saw in you. Third, be patient and pray for them which despitefully use you. Pray for their spirit to be changed. Pray that they see you as a friend and not a foe. Pray that the Lord will change their heart and help them to be kind and less critical.
Dripping water situations are not beyond fixable, but they do require the right tools and timing for fixing. If you have contentious people in your life, do not let them get the best of you. Instead, with God’s help you can be more than a conqueror through Christ.
Have a patient God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 37-39
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