He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
Interacting With: Our Neighbors 1: Proverbs 25:8-10
8) Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour
hath put thee to shame.
9) Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover not a secret to another:
10) Lest he that heareth [it]
put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
Solomon
now begins to share with us teachings on how to interact with our
neighbors. This subject will also be
discussed in vs. 16-19…
EXPOSITION:
8) Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour
hath put thee to shame.
1.
Do not go forward quickly (without adequate consideration) to publically contend
with others
2.
or else you will not know what action to take when your neighbor insults you
and puts you to public shame.
It
is very important to take great care and count the possible cost of entering
into a conflict with your neighbor. Keep
in mind, if you act too hastily, you may be made into a shameful public display
if you are on the wrong side of the conflict.
Also,
by keeping the issue private, you will gain the favor of the other party and
enhance the probability of an agreeable resolution to the dispute.
“Or what king, going to
make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether
he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty
thousand? Or else, while the other
is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of
peace.” (Luke 14:31-32)
9) Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover not a secret to another: 10) Lest he that
heareth [it] put thee to shame, and
thine infamy turn not away.
1. Keep your disputes a private matter between
yourself and your neighbor
2. Do not make his offense a public issue.
3. This will avoid accusations made by the
onlookers and the developing of a bad testimony in the eyes of others.
By
keeping disputes private, you will lower the risk of your neighbor making it a
public issue as well. If you are wrong
in your accusations, or falsely accused, your testimony will not be injured.
“In all things shewing
thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity,
sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot
be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no
evil thing to say of you.” (Titus 2:7-8)
The
principle of keeping our disputes private not only applies to our neighbors but
also to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Privacy is the first step in
resolving disputes between the brethren…
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass
against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him
alone: if he shall hear
thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that
in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to
hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let
him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” (Matthew 18:15-17)
SUMMARY:
Although
our human nature desires to make the mistakes of others public knowledge,
wisdom dictates that we keep our disputes with others private. By keeping our disputes private, we lessen
the possibility of our testimony being harmed and our faults being revealed
publically as well.
May
we all possess Godly wisdom and live our lives for Him.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
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