WORD FOR THE WISE: PROVERBS

 PROVERB 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.26:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

The wisdom of a meek and a quiet spirit is that it is a great means toward peace. Conflicts are stirred with more grievous and offensive words. And although we may feel justified in our participation because we did not kindle the fire of a conflict, we may very well be adding hot coals to it, causing it to burn hotter!  Conflicts also  spread like wildfire amongst those who need not be involved, when we gossip or speak much of issues to no resolution. A fire cannot survive without some object to consume. Keeping quiet can calm issues and save relationships. We need not to assert ourselves, but be conformed to Christ: "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." 1Pet 2:23