Proverbs 26:20 - Homiletics

The fuel of strife

I. STRIFE WILL DIE OUT IF IT BE NOT SUPPLIED WITH FRESH FUEL . The fire will not burn after the stock of wood is all exhausted. The quarrel will not continue if the angry feelings that rage in it are not fed by fresh provocations. The unhappy experience of most quarrels is that these provocations are too readily supplied. But if one party to a quarrel really wishes for peace, he can often obtain it by simply abstaining from maintaining his contention. His opponent will tire of a one-sided war. Patience, meekness, and quiet endurance will thus make peace in the end. This was Christ's method. He brought peace by peaccably submitting to wrong.

II. STRIFE IS TOO OFTEN MAINTAINED WITH THE FRESH FUEL ADDED BY STRANGERS . If the two principals in a quarrel were left to themselves, they might tire of perpetual disputes. But a third party interferes, not as a peacemaker, but to take one side; or to meddle in pure mischief making, delighting to stir up the embers of strife; or to show his own power and importance. This conduct is the opposite of that of one who serves the Prince of Peace.

III. TALE BEARING ADDS FUEL TO STRIFE .

1 . It may be true . We may hear something of one party in a quarrel which we know to be correct, and report it to the other, though it was never intended to be repeated. This rouses angry passions and renews the old battle. Immense harm is done by merely inconsiderate gossip. When an element of spite is added and there is a deliberate attempt to aggravate a quarrel, the conduct of the tale bearer is simply diabolical.

2 . It is likely to be exaggerated . Most tales, like snowballs, grow as they proceed. Passing from one to another, they are unintentionally exaggerated. Surmise and inference are mixed up with the original narrative as part of the story. Rhetorical point is gained at the expense of accuracy.

IV. IT IS THE DUTY OF THE CHRISTIAN TO ALLAY STRIFE . His should be the blessedness of the peacemaker ( Matthew 5:9 ). If we have Christian love we shall desire to do this, for chanty covers a multitude of sins ( 1 Peter 4:8 ). Immense harm would he prevented by the merely negative course of refraining from repeating all words that have the slightest tendency to provoke ill will between other people. There is virtue in reticence. Silence here is indeed golden. But sometimes we should go further, and endeavour to make the best of people to one another, and so to heal quarrels.

V. NO TALE BEARER CAN REVIVE THE STRIFE BETWEEN THE SOUL AND GOD . If there be no more fuel, this will vanish. God desires to be reconciled with his children. If they will but lay down their arms, the old quarrel will cease at once.

1 . God knows the worst of us . He knows all. Therefore he never makes discoveries that will rouse his wrath against our pardoned past.

2 . He cannot be misled by deceivers . Tale bearers may malign our character before men, never before God.

3 . The only thing to continue our strife with God is to continue our rebellious lives . While we seek peace, peace is secure.