The Danger of Arguing and Bitterness
Pastor Brad Abley: Biblical Educator
Pastor’s Corner: Proverbs 17:14
Let’s look at an example
Prov. 17:14:
“The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.”
Pastor Brad writes:
“It is often better to let something go than to insist on winning an argument — and then damage a relationship — perhaps irreparably. Here’s an important historical illustration: The epic disaster of Dunkirk in World War II predictably led to an intense desire for recrimination for those responsible for putting soldiers in grave danger — at a time of great vulnerability for Britain in its battle with the Nazis (*see below, for further explanation).
But Winston Churchill recognized the folly of such actions and the danger it could and would cause in Britain’s effort to defeat the Nazis. Churchill wisely declared,
“If we open a quarrel between the past and the present,
we shall find that we have lost the future.”
Here, Shakespeare’s line is applicable:
“The better part of valor is discretion, in the which better part I have saved my life.”
* In the Battle of Dunkirk, France (May 26 to June 4, 1940), approximately 338,000 British and Allied troops were evacuated from Dunkirk to England. Had this not taken place, the Nazis were sure to annihilate the entire force.
What appeared as a dangerous — and at the least an ignominious defeat — became the “Miracle of Dunkirk.” It was a major rallying point for Britain and the Allies, eventually leading to Germany’s defeat.
Pastor’s Corner
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