“Incarcerated” Relationships

Let’s read Proverbs 18:19:

19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

This Sunday we are beginning a new sermon series on resolving conflict.  This proverb really speaks to the issue.  When we are in conflict with a brother it is very difficult to “win” him back again.  It can be done but it isn’t easy.  The second part of the verse really speaks to my point today.  Contentions with people are like the bars of a castle.  Contentions with others really do force us into isolation, sometimes even a type of “incarceration”.  We are bound by the contentions.  They rob us of sleep and peace and joy.  They cost us time and money.  Contentions can literally be like bars.

However, we hold the keys to our own release.  We do not have to be bound by others.  Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men”.  We cannot control someone else’s thoughts and actions but we need not be bound by them.  Please deal with conflict in your life.  Put away the contentions…be FREE!

In wisdom,
Eric