Debate You Cause with Your Neighbor Himself - Proverbs 25:9

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest you know not what to do in the end thereof, when your neighbor has put you to shame”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse nine of Proverbs Solomon said, “debate your cause with your neighbor himself” where we read,

Debate your cause with your neighbor himself;

and discover not a secret to another:

The verse begins, “Debate your cause with your neighbor himself;” Solomon began with the words, “debate your cause” or “make a complaint, contend or quarrel with your, Solomon's readers and listeners', controversy, dispute or case at law” “with your neighbor himself” which means “near, together and alongside your, Solomon's readers and listeners', intimate companion, fellow-citizen or friend, his own self”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners to contend with their fellow-citizen or friend alone.

The verse continues, “and discover not a secret to another:” Solomon added the words, “and discover not a secret” or “and do not disclose, uncover or reveal counsel, deliberation or intimate conversation” “to another” which means “to an other person”. Solomon told his readers and listeners not to reveal their controversy with anyone other than the person with whom they are having difficulty. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are to make our complaint with the person with whom we are having difficulty, and we are not to reveal our undisclosed grievances with others. Jesus said, “if your brother shall trespass against you, go tell him his fault between you and him alone: if he shall hear you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witness every word may be established. An if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto you as an heathen man and a publican” (See Matthew 18:15-17), and because God knew we would have difficulties with others, He gave us His process for resolution. He sent Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and thereby has made access for all who believe and trust in Him to be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given the ability and resolve to follow His instructions when troubles with others arise. 

Next time Solomon shares about your neighbor, “putting you to shame”, 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".