Evil Dispute
13
If you repay good with evil,
evil will never leave your house.
14
Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so stop before a dispute breaks out.
Verse 13
It is evil to hurt people who help you. But some evil people do this.
As we help other people, we should realize this. The people that we help may not be honest. They might be cruel or unfair. As Christians, we serve God, rather than other people. We help them, because we love God. God rewards us.
If we are in difficulties, then we should obtain advice and help. We should not remain in a situation that is too difficult for us.
Verse 14
When people argue, they might become angry. If they become angry, then they might fight. If they fight, then they will hate each other. A simple argument might cause serious troubles.
It is easier to stop an argument when it begins. Later, this might be impossible. We should not allow our arguments to become serious problems.
The first proverb tells us that if someone is so twisted that they respond to good deeds with evil, they will keep doing bad things. This doesn’t mean God has given up on them, but rather that their moral sense is so messed up they don't even realize they’re doing wrong and won't seek forgiveness.
Verse 14 reminds me of the Navy’s maintenance program, summed up by the phrase "Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance." Basically, you don't wait for a turbine to break down before you maintain it; you check and fill the oil regularly to prevent damage.
Similarly, the Army Corps of Engineers checks dams across the U.S. to ensure there are no small leaks. In the same way, if God's people want to keep peace, they need to address small disagreements before they turn into big arguments.
Let me ask you: Are you someone who helps make peace?
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