When
Should We?
Like
one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a
quarrel not their own.
Proverbs
26:17
“How
do you know if you should or shouldn't intervene in someone else’s
affairs?” Brennan asked.
“God
used two events to teach me this lesson," Dillon laughed… the
memory of the first event was as clear as the day it happened. "I
lived beside three brothers. Their cousins lived up the street. One
afternoon one of the cousins made a derogatory remark to one of the
brothers…it led to blows. As everyone else stood by, letting them
pound on each other, I decided to step between them and break up the
fight. They kept swinging at each other, and I took a major beating.
They, on the other hand, had relieved their frustration and were
content to let bygones be bygones.”
“The
other occasion was something much different.” Dillon’s face
turned serious… “I was sitting beside a couple in a restaurant,
when all of a sudden the man began cussing at his girlfriend, then
drew back his fist, intending to hit her. I instinctively reached out
and grabbed his wrist, stopping him mid-swing. Holding his wrist, I
quietly explained that men do not hit women…nor disrespect them in
such a manner.” A light came on in Brennan’s eyes as Dillon
continued, “Suffice it to say, he didn’t share my philosophy. I
later learned that he had done this before and no one had ever
confronted him. I guess he must have figured that if no one was going
to stop him he would continue using fear and abuse to control his
girlfriend.”
†
It
is ingrained in men to ‘save
the day’. God
created us to protect the weak and those less-able. Yet, it is
foolish to assume that every quarrel requires our personal
intervention or involvement.
In
one of today’s examples there is no question as to whether
intervention was advisable. In the other it appeared to be the right
thing to do, and resulted in an unnecessary beating.
When
faced with this dilemma, godly wisdom is required to achieve a
beneficial outcome. So, whenever possible, don’t assume that your
action is required. Inquire of the Lord before taking action.
Prayer
“Lord,
in times like these, give me the wisdom to know whether to walk away
or take action. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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