It Takes Two
IT TAKES TWO
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:9-15.
Mom sighed deeply as she heard raised voices coming from the basement. Soon Brad came bursting into the kitchen. “Mom, Logan’s being mean again! I wish he wouldn’t come over if he’s going to act like that.”
“I know you boys haven’t gotten along very well lately,” said Mom, “but why can’t you be the one to stop the arguing that goes on between you?”
“Why me? Logan’s the one who always starts it,” Brad said.
“It takes two to quarrel,” Mom pointed out. “If you refuse to fight, and if you ignore his teasing, there won’t be an argument.”
“If I don’t stand up for my rights, he’ll think I’m a sissy,” protested Brad.
“Do you know what God thinks about all this?” asked Mom. “He says, ‘Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.’ Read it in Proverbs chapter 20, verse 3. Anybody can quarrel, you know, but it takes a wise person to stop a quarrel. The same verse says that it’s a fool who insists on quarreling.”
“Tell that to Logan!” demanded Brad.
“I’m not Logan’s mother. I’m yours, so I’m telling you,” said Mom.
Brad took a deep breath. “All right, I’ll try not to quarrel.”
Several times in the next few days, Logan tried to pick a quarrel. He rode Brad’s bike without permission, he tossed pebbles at him, and he called him a sissy, but Brad just walked away. Finally Logan could stand it no longer. “What’s the matter with you?” he asked.
Brad grinned. “Read Proverbs 20, verse 3,” he advised.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you often argue with others? Remember what God says about someone who is quick to quarrel. Even if you think it’s really the other person’s fault, avoid arguing and fighting.
TO MEMORIZE:
Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
Proverbs 20:3
DON’T QUARREL.
From the book
