Strive Not Without a Cause - Proverbs 3:30

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said to his son, “Devise not evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by you”, and in chapter three and verse thirty of Proverbs Solomon said, “strive not with a man without cause” where we read,

Strive not with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

The verse begins, “Strive not with a man without cause, ...”. Solomon began with the words, “strive not with a man” or “do not contend, quarrel or make a complaint with a person whether male or female” “without cause” which means “for no purpose, undeservedly or gratuitously”. Solomon shared how his son was not to contend with a person for no purpose or reason for doing so.

The verse continues, “... if he has done you no harm.” Solomon added the words, “if he has done you” or “whether and in case he, the person, has recompensed, repaid or requited you, Solomon's son” “no harm” which means “not any bad, disagreeableness, displeasure, misery, unkindness, evil or wicked deed”. Solomon instructed his son not to “strive” with a person when the person hasn't done any wickedness or bad thing against him.

When we consider Solomon's words in this verse, we learn how he wanted his son to restrain himself from contention with other people when they have done nothing to him to deserve it. In other words, Solomon's son was not to fight and argue with others for no reason. God is a God of peace, and He wants us to be at peace with Him and other people. God gave His Son to the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to keep from strife with others as much as is possible at all times. (See Romans 12:18)

Next time Solomon says, “envy you not the oppressor”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".