…”continual dripping”…

Proverbs 27:15 NKJV — A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;

Ouch!

This stings, because it hits close to the heart.

The Lord is making it clear that a woman, who is of a contentious attitude, wears on those around her.

Contention will erode relationships as steadily as water will wear away stone.

Left to itself, a continual dripping can make marked damage, thus we can see that bitterness and an argumentative attitude bring devastation.

But the proverb doesn’t end there.

This contentious woman can’t be restrained by outward efforts.

Proverbs 27:16 NKJV — Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.

No one is going to fix this woman.

But God.

Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus broke the spiral of sin and rescues us from the futility of “looking out for number 1”.

Through the acceptance of His sacrifice anyone can be freed from a life of sin and selfish ambition.

For where does contentions come from?

James 4:1 NKJV — Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?

1 John 1:9 KJV — If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

James 4:10 NKJV — Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

As any follower of Christ can testify, our sinful nature doesn’t die easily nor quickly, and thus each of us can take a warning from these words in Proverbs.

It is vital that we guard both our hearts and our lips, that we not allow contention to reside in either place.

Colossians 4:6 KJV — Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word and Your truth. Lord, please help each of us to guard our hearts and minds from those things which would grow contention. Lord, please purify our perspective, that we might not allow unforgiveness, wrath, evil speaking, bitterness, envy, or anything else which would lead us astray. Lord, please help us to remember Your love and to walk in Your wisdom. Lord, help us to be humble and filled with Your grace. Thank You for all Your blessings. Thank You for warning us of those things which lead us away from You. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Arguing

Like this picture, my perspective was a little skewed.

My husband had said, “Why do you do that? Why do you contradict everything I say?”

I nearly laughed when I responded with, “I don’t.”

He raised his eyebrows at me and smiled.

I apologized.

Although, I really didn’t feel I always contradicted my husband I did feels prick about it when I was praying.

If it’s important to my husband it should be important to me.

So, I asked the Lord to help me see when I was arguing with him.

Turns out, I do contradict him, often.

It’s not malicious nor was I really aware of it.

But there’s so many little moments when I was not careful with my words.

Yesterday we were Zooming a friend and I realized my “quick to listen and slow to speak” was backwards.

I’d been quick to speak and slow to listen.

Uhg.

Thankfully, both God and my husband are very patient and forgiving.

Today, I’m asking the Lord to continue to help me with this area.

First, that I see myself clearly and then that I am careful with my words.

Because words that build up are not words of contradiction.

Yes, there are times and places to stand for the truth when a lie is being pronounced as truth.

But between my husband and myself, there’s no reason for me to speak as I have.

I know if we have a conflict or misunderstanding the way to handle it is not before others, not with words that infer he is completely wrong, but instead with honesty, compassion, and love.

My contradicting him was simply a blindness to my own carelessness.

Frankly, I’d be embarrassed if it weren’t for my husband’s loving attitude.

Which in turn makes me want to deal with this poor behavior even more.

It’s wonderful how God has brought to light an area which was askew and is teaching me how to correct it.

Just another example of God’s love, His goodness, and His grace.

1 Peter 2:24 NKJV — who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

I’m so thankful to God!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for showing me my error. Lord, please continue to teach me to guard my words, to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Lord, please continue to heal my perspective, that I might not sin against You or anyone else. Lord, my heart is glad You have broken through an area I was stubbornly refusing to see. Please let the words of David stand for me as well.

Psalm 69:5-6 NKJV — O God, You know my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from You. Let not those who wait for You, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed because of me; Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.

Lord, please do not allow my sins to hinder my family’s relationship with You. Instead, please use my errors to help my family avoid these things in their own life. Lord, I thank You for Your mercy and grace. I thank You for Your truth and patience. May Your name be glorified today. Amen.