“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”–Proverbs 13:10

In 1731 the British ship Rebecca was boarded by Spanish sailors who believed the British brig was part of a smuggling operation. During the on-board conflict, Spanish captain, Julio Fandino, cut off the left ear of the British captain, Robert Jenkins. Fandino intended to send a message to England—and he succeeded. Jenkins was called to testify before Parliament about what happened, and he apparently brought along his severed ear as a demonstration of the truth of his account.

The incident was declared “an insult to the honour of the nation” and led to war between Spain and England—what came to be known as The War of Jenkins’ Ear. The two nations fought for several years, leaving thousands dead, and then the war spread to other countries as well until it involved most of Europe. The War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War followed, leaving hundreds of thousands dead. But it all began with an ear.

Today many churches and families are riven with conflict rather than blessed with peace. Proverbs identifies the problem for us—conflict comes from pride. If we are humble and not insistent that we are always right, we will not find it difficult to get along with others. While there are truths that should be held without any compromise, the majority of conflicts come not from such cases but from hurt feelings and wounded pride.

Peter said, “For he that will love life, and see good days…let him seek peace, and ensue it” (1 Peter 3:10-11). To seek and follow peace we must be willing to lay aside our desire to prove we are right or to get our way. We must be willing to extend grace and forgiveness, even to those who have hurt us. We can be certain that if we maintain our pride, we will never know peace.—If you want peace, you must abandon pride and listen to the counsels of wisdom.–Dr. Paul Chappell

Nobody ever suffered such cruel injustice as Jesus did, yet He refused to retaliate. He did not stoop to their level. That is our blessed example. Jesus was perfect in every way, yet He was hated, despised, and crucified. We too can expect injustice and suffering—it is the heritage of all humans. You can’t stop that. But, we do have a choice when it comes to the manner in which we respond. With God’s help, we can do what Jesus did. Don’t let others prod you into a fight. Everyone concerned will be better off, and God will be pleased, if you “take it patiently”(1 Peter 2:20). Just leave it with God—vengeance is His alone (Romans 12:17-19).

“Love your neighbor.” Perhaps he rolls in riches, and you are poor and living in your humble dwelling next-door to his mansion. Every day you see his estates, his fine clothes, and his extravagant parties. God has given him these gifts; covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him. Be content with what you have, if you cannot better it, but do not look upon your neighbor and wish that he was like you. Love him, and then you will not envy him. Perhaps, on the other hand, you are rich, and the poor live nearby. Do not scorn to call them neighbors. Admit that you are bound to love them. The world calls them your inferiors. In what way are they inferior? They are far more your equals than your inferiors, for “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth.”1 Your clothes are better than theirs, but you are in no way better than them. They are men, and what are you more than that? Pay attention that you love your neighbor even though he be in rags or sunken in the depths of poverty. But perhaps you say, “I cannot love my neighbors because no matter what I do for them they respond with ingratitude and contempt.” All the more reason for the heroism of love. Would you be a featherbed warrior instead of bearing the rough fight of love? He who dares the most shall win the most; and if the path of love is rough, tread it boldly, still loving your neighbors through thick and thin. Heap coals of fire on their heads, and if they are hard to please, do not seek to please them, but to please your Master; and remember if they spurn your love, your Master has not spurned it, and your deed is as acceptable to Him as if it had been acceptable to them. Love your neighbor, for in so doing you are following the footsteps of Christ.–Charles Spurgeon, revised and edited by Alistair Begg

And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.–Ephesians 6:4 Considering the miserable failure of families it is no wonder that churches are in their carnal condition and that corruption is so common in our country. It is a fearful thought that children raised in horrible homes will be the leaders of tomorrow. That does not make a bright outlook for the future. More than ever we need to reminded of what Paul said. More than a century ago, James Smith made this wise observation: “Children are keen observers, and are much more powerfully affected by what they see–than by what they hear. It is of little use to talk to them of the gospel–if we do not adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in our lives. Thousands of children are ruined by the conduct of their parents–and many of them professing Christian parents!—Take care what you are teaching your children by your example. You are always influencing them for good–or evil. You are leading them to Heaven–or Hell. Not a day passes, but you produce impressions–perhaps permanent impressions–either good or bad. When parents profess to be Christians, and do not carry out Christian principles in their daily lives–can we be surprised if their children turn out ungodly? I fear that the blood of many children’s souls–will be found on their parents’ garments! I fear the open criminality of many children–is but a public exposure of the secret inconsistency of many professedly Christian parents! How much attention is frequently paid to the body–how little to the soul! How much time and expense are spent on nurturing the mind–and how little on the heart! How many educate for time–not for eternity! How many prepare their children to take a wealthy place in the world–how few endeavor to prepare their children to take a place in Heaven!”

Way back in 1856, a pastor asked James Smith, “We have the gospel regularly preached, the prayer meetings are continued, the church is in peace–but very few souls are converted to God. What does our church need?”Bro. Smith replied: “It needs the presence and power of the Holy Spirit! For unless the Holy Spirit works — your minister may preach, your church may meet — but no real good will be done! God’s work is carried on, not by might nor by power — but by the Spirit of the Lord Almighty. It is the Spirit who must . . . open the heart, quicken the soul, and sanctify the person! And if the Spirit works — then the feeblest ministry is efficient, and the smallest church prospers! All the success that followed the preaching of Peter, and the labors of Paul — was from the Holy Spirit. Therefore Paul says, “God gave the increase.” Then the church felt her need of the Spirit; she realized her dependence on that divine Agent; she prayed with faith, fervor, and importunity for the blessing; and God answered her prayers, and filled His servants with the Holy Spirit and with power! But now-a-days, we merely talk of the Spirit — rather than feel our need! We boast of our instruments — rather than realize our dependence on the Almighty Agent!” Dear friends, times have changed, but our need is the same today as it was then! We need a wholehearted effort to do God’s will, but we must do it with a deep sense of dependance upon the power of the Holy Spirit. We must strive, but ever mindful that without Him we can do nothing. It is only then that we cannot fail!