In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house”, and in chapter seventeen and verse fourteen of Proverbs Solomon said, “the beginning of strife is when one lets out water” where we read,
The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water:
therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
The verse begins, “The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water:” Solomon began with the words, “the beginning of strife” or “the chief, start and first part pertaining to contention, discord and brawling” “is as when one lets out water” which means “exists similar and in likeness to the time and moment that a person whether male or female opens, sets free and permits water to flow”. Solomon shared how the start to contention and discord is similar to when a person permits water to flow freely.
The verse goes on to say, “therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.” Solomon continued with the words, “therefore leave off” or “consequently and for that reason forsake, cast off, abandon and reject” “contention” which means “controversy, dispute, quarrels and chiding”, “before it be meddled with” or “in front and in advance of the contention being exposed, laid bare and breaking out”. Solomon said because the start “of strife” is similar to allowing water to flow freely, a person should avoid and keep away from controversy and quarrels in advance of them breaking out.
When we consider Solomon's words in this verse, we discover what the start of quarrels and disputes is like. When a person allows water to flow freely after being bound, there is little chance that it will be stopped again or what has been let loose will be recaptured. Solomon wanted us to know it is better to avoid the controversy in the first place, then there isn't anything to recapture. God knows us, and because we have a tendency to violate His law and way of doing things, we have sin in our lives. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to recognize when “contention” is at our door and to never open the flow of what cannot be recaptured.
Next time Solomon shares about, “he that justifies the wicked”, 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".
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