Proverbs 26:17




'Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.'
For nearly 16 years, we enjoyed the company of Zephyr, a beautiful yellow Labrador. When he joined us as a little puppy our three children were all at home and, for those years, he became every inch a member of the family. He was extraordinarily patient with us all. If we accidentally knocked into him, he always took it in his stride. He had a wonderful temperament but every now and again we were reminded that he was immensely strong and shouldn’t be messed with. You should have seen him fighting with a hedgehog for example! Wonderful and gracious as Zephyr was, he was a dog, and if someone were to yank him unkindly by the ears, I think he could have done them a great deal of damage. I certainly wouldn’t have dared to do any such thing myself.
This might sound like rather mundane and obvious advice but, as ever, the writer of the Proverbs knew that all wisdom was of crucial importance. Interfering in other people’s arguments has wrecked many lives. Of course, it is a completely different matter if you are invited to give advice or support. But if, without invitation, you step into someone else’s argument you are almost bound to fan the flames and make the situation worse.


If you thought that wisdom is merely something that you need when you are making major life decisions, then this proverb is one of many that prove you wrong. We need to exercise wisdom day by day and, most of the time, in relatively small matters. Every decision that we make has implication and therefore, we need to be constantly listening to God and open to the voice of his Spirit. Happily, we serve a God who is keen to respond to our request for wisdom. As James wrote: “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (James 1:5).




Question: What will be the wisest course of action when you next come across someone having an argument?
Prayer: Lord God, help me to be wise and thoughtful in my relationship with others today. Amen

Released on 5 Sep 2022