"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:1
Contention… I'm confident that I am not alone with my uneasiness when contention arises in conversations with other people in my life, especially someone that care deeply for. Contention seems inevitable! While this isn't necessarily a constant issue, it does happen on occasion. Sadly, Christians are not left out of this troublesome issue. Remember that old saying... "Familiarity breeds contempt?" There is far more truth to this statement then we may know.
This issue gave me pause to ponder where the root of contention starts? One thought is that we all have such different personalities, often with different beliefs, spiritually, politically, with a host of other differences. In truth, we each see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear. It would be impossible to see eye to eye on every issue.
The crux of this problem... We are human and process our thoughts out of the human side of our nature. Sadly, it's our sinful nature to always be "right!" We each stand by our own convictions. That in-self is a good thing. But here's the bad... In our disagreements...enter Satan! He crawls right up in the middle of our disagreements and takes sides. You see, he will never take the side of "right." No, he's looking to cause contempt. Satan loves to get us stuck in a place of contention and quarreling. His goal is to destruct and destroy relationships.
Our need to be right to the point of argument comes from a prideful heart. When God says, "By pride comes only contention," He means that this kind of pride has not a single good fruit! Not even one! Paul teaches us, "As much as depends on you, live peaceably with everyone." An arduous task at times, considering all of our varying personalities. It doesn't take too many of these continuous moments to destroy a good relationship. Complying with this Scripture will call upon our constant vigilance, self-control, and earnest prayer.
"The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts." Proverbs 17:14