AVOIDING ARGUING

AVOIDING ARGUING

Proverbs 15:1 (NASB)

1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

    Do you sometimes find yourself saying, “I get so angry when people refuse to listen to my viewpoint. How can I make them listen and hear what I’m trying to say?” 

    Unless we’re involved in an official debate, arguing with someone who’s unwilling to listen is useless and a waste of time. It can be a discussion with our children, a conversation with people at work, or trying to share the gospel of Christ with others. We must state our viewpoint with clarity and purpose, while not becoming defensive and argumentative if it’s not received. 

    We’ll only hurt ourselves and our relationship if we become argumentative. We must not allow anyone to draw us into strife or arguing. We must hold your tongue, and try to remember these words of wisdom:

Proverbs 15:1-2 (NASB)

1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.”

    What must surely be one of the most frustrating conversations in history was reported in The Chicago Times. A subscriber, wishing to find out about a particular upcoming event in his community, dialed directory assistance to get the theater’s telephone number.

    The operator drawled, “Sorry, but there’s nobody listed by the name of Theodore Arts.” The subscriber insisted, “It’s not a person; it’s a theatre. I want Theatre Arts.” The operator responded, this time a little louder. “I told you, we have no listing for Theodore Arts in Chicago. Perhaps he lives in another city.”

    By now the subscriber was thoroughly peeved. “Confound it, the word is theatre: T-H-E-A-T-R-E!” The operator came back with equal certainty in her voice, “That is not the way to spell Theodore--- sir.” Arguing is a waste of time.

    Words can be helpful and healing. They can provide hope and encouragement. Wise and gracious words are a powerful tool to diffuse a situation that could quickly escalate into a serious conflict.

    However, the words we speak and the messages from our lips should also be spoken in grace and in love. For just as a gentle, controlled, thoughtful or caring word can calm the troubled breast, bring hope to the hopeless, or heal the injured. Cruel or careless comments can as easily be used to wound or discourage, hurt or hinder, harm or handicap or stir up strife and anger.

    We live in an offended society today. It seems to be a never-ending cycle in our news of someone who has said something that someone else considers offensive. The result is that the other person responds harshly to what has been said, which in turn stirs up more anger.  

    As we consider this Proverb, we began to realize that where we are going as a society is not good. It is getting to the point that we are unable to laugh at ourselves. Instead, everyone just seems to be getting more and more angered and outraged.