Contentions

I was reading proverbs 21 this morning and verse 9 and 19 talks about a contentious woman. Better to dwell in a corner of a roof top or in the wilderness that with an angry contentious woman. Contentious means to be quarrelsome are one who causes strife. Contention is an argument or dispute. Proverbs has alot to say about contention. Lets look at a few more verses;

Prov 18:19 - "A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle". Offense is the result of having contentions in a relationship. When someone is offended they build bars. Bars of a castle are for protection or prison - no one gets in or no one gets out. Another picture is burglar bars on a house. Think about all the relationships and people that are offended due to contentions.

Prov 19:13b - "The contentions of a wife are a continual dripping". You ever tried to go to sleep with a faucet that is dripping. It drives you crazy.

Prov 26:21- "As charcoal is to a burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife". Contention is the coals and wood that keep strife, fighting, etc., going in relationships. At any time the fire will blaze.

Prov 27:15 - "A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike".

Contentiousness is a horrible thing. Are you forever in a quarrel with someone you are in a relationship with. Did you ever stop to consider that you are the cause of it. Maybe that you are the contentious woman or man. Look at what others are dealing with that are living with you and that are around you. Does fighting seem to be spring up everywhere you go. Hello here. Maybe its not the other person who is at fault. Maybe it's you. The root word for contentious is to contend. Think of a boxing match where two people are contending for a belt. What are you contending for? Your way. Well this is the root of all contentions. I have to have it my way so I will fight to get it. Have you ever considered that it not about you? Jesus never contended for His way. He always lived His life for God's will and God's way. He lived and gave His life for others. He humbled Himself and carried the cross. James 4:1 "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members"? Wars and fights come from people who lust and desire to have it their way. People that are living to serve Christ should not be striving against one another but with one another against the work of the devil and the forces of evil and sin. I will close with this verse;

Prov 22:10 - Cast out the scoffer and contentions will leave. Yes strife and reproach will leave.
A scoffer is a mocker. Boastful, prideful and arrogant. A scoffer never shuts up and mocks with his or her tongue. Cast out the scoffer. Maybe the scoffer in you needs to be cast out. What if you wife or husband came home from work today and the scoffer was gone. Wow!!! What a pleasant surprise that would be. Scoffer be cast out by bringing yourself to the cross and nailing your tongue and heart there. Remember the problem is not your tongue but your heart. Out of the heart flows your words. Your tongue is attached to your heart. Let Jesus, His words, and His Holy Spirit cast out and do heart surgery on your rebellious and sinful heart. Thant contentions will leave and peace will come. May God perform this work in me.!!!!