Contention and strife can easily disrupt peace, and the Bible has much to say about avoiding conflict. If you’re curious about how to handle disagreements, scripture encourages us to pursue peace, resolve disputes quickly, and foster unity, rather than allowing arguments to escalate.
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What Does The Bible Say About Contention
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse reminds us of the power of our words. Responding to contention with gentleness and kindness can diffuse the situation, while responding with anger or harsh words only escalates the conflict.
Choosing to approach contentious situations with a gentle and understanding attitude can help promote peace and reconciliation, rather than further dividing and hurting others.
James 4:1-2
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.”
This verse points out that contention often arises from our own selfish desires and unmet expectations. When we covet what others have and become envious or resentful, it can lead to fights and quarrels.
Instead of resorting to contention, we are encouraged to seek God and ask Him for the desires of our hearts. Trusting in His provision and surrendering our selfishness can help create an environment of peace and harmony.
Proverbs 20:3
“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”
This verse highlights the importance of avoiding contention and actively seeking peace. Engaging in quarrels and disputes only reflects foolishness, while choosing to avoid strife brings honor.
Instead of allowing our pride or ego to fuel arguments, we should strive to be peacemakers and seek resolution through understanding and compromise.
Ephesians 4:31-32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
This passage emphasizes the need to let go of negative emotions and attitudes that often lead to contention. Bitterness, anger, and malice only perpetuate conflict, while kindness, compassion, and forgiveness can bring reconciliation.
By following Christ’s example of forgiveness, we can break the cycle of contention and foster healthy relationships based on love and understanding.
Proverbs 26:20
“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
This verse speaks to the destructive nature of gossip and how it can fuel contention. Just as a fire needs fuel to continue burning, quarrels rely on the spread of rumors and harmful words to keep going.
By refusing to engage in gossip and choosing to withhold harmful words, we can help diffuse conflicts and promote harmony among others.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Jesus teaches us that peacemakers are blessed and identified as children of God. As Christians, we are called to actively seek reconciliation and promote peace in our relationships and communities.
By embodying the qualities of love, patience, and understanding, we can create an atmosphere of harmony that reflects the character of God.
Proverbs 17:14
“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”
This verse uses the metaphor of a breached dam to illustrate the destructive nature of starting a quarrel. Once the floodgates are opened, it becomes harder to contain and stop the conflict.
Therefore, it is wise to let go of contentious matters before they escalate into full-blown disputes, as prevention is often easier than dealing with the aftermath.
James 3:16
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
This verse reveals the root cause of many contentions – envy and selfish ambition. When we become consumed by our own desires and seek personal gain at the expense of others, it leads to disorder and harmful actions.
As followers of Christ, we are called to prioritize love and selflessness, seeking the well-being of others rather than engaging in divisive behavior.
Proverbs 18:6
“The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.”
This verse warns us about the consequences of foolish and contentious speech. Engaging in provocative and inflammatory language only invites conflict and negative consequences.
Instead, we should choose our words carefully, speaking with wisdom and grace, considering the impact our words may have on others and seeking to address conflicts in a peaceful manner.
1 Corinthians 1:10
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
Paul urges believers to strive for unity and agreement, emphasizing the importance of avoiding divisions and contentions within the body of Christ.
By focusing on our shared faith and purpose, we can overcome disagreements and work towards a harmonious and united community of believers.
Proverbs 22:10
“Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.”
This verse highlights the influence of mockers and their role in fostering contention. Removing those who mock and criticize can bring an end to quarrels and insults.
Surrounding ourselves with positive and uplifting influences can contribute to a healthier and more peaceful environment where contention has no place.
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
This verse instructs us to reject selfishness and pride, instead choosing to value others and treat them with humility. By prioritizing the needs and interests of others, we can reduce contention and foster a spirit of unity.
Selfless actions and attitudes create an environment where conflicts are less likely to arise, as everyone works together for the common good.
Proverbs 29:22
“An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.”
This verse highlights the destructive nature of anger and a hot temper, which often lead to contention and sinful behavior.
By cultivating self-control and seeking peace over anger, we can prevent conflicts from escalating and strive towards a more righteous and harmonious life.
Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Paul encourages believers to make every effort to live in peace with others. While it may not always be possible to avoid contention, we are responsible for doing our part to pursue peace.
By demonstrating grace, forgiveness, and a willingness to reconcile, we can contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious society.
Proverbs 13:10
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
This verse draws a connection between contention and pride. Strife often stems from a prideful attitude that refuses to seek or accept advice from others.
By humbly acknowledging our limitations and seeking wisdom from others, we can avoid unnecessary conflicts and grow in understanding.
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in resolving contentions. Just as God has forgiven us, we are called to forgive others and extend grace to those who have wronged us.
Forgiveness allows us to let go of past hurts and move forward, promoting reconciliation and building stronger relationships.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
This verse highlights the contrast between hatred and love in relation to contention. Hatred fuels conflicts, while love has the power to cover and overcome wrongs.
Choosing to love others unconditionally, even in the midst of disagreement, can diffuse tension and create an atmosphere conducive to resolution and reconciliation.
James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
James provides practical advice on how to handle contentions. Being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger allows for better understanding and prevents hasty and destructive confrontations.
By seeking to understand others’ perspectives and controlling our emotions, we can navigate conflicts with wisdom and promote peace.
Proverbs 14:29
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
This verse highlights the connection between patience and wisdom. By exhibiting patience in the face of contention, we demonstrate understanding and self-control.
Impatience and a quick temper only lead to foolish and harmful actions, while patience fosters empathy and the potential for resolution.
Matthew 18:15
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
This verse provides guidance on how to address conflicts and contentions within relationships. Instead of allowing the issue to escalate, we are encouraged to approach the person directly and privately.
Seeking resolution in a gentle and loving manner can lead to reconciliation and restoration in our relationships.
Proverbs 26:17
“Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.”
This verse warns against getting involved in unnecessary and unrelated contentions. Engaging in quarrels that do not concern us only leads to trouble and unwanted consequences.
It is important to choose our battles wisely and recognize when it is better to stay out of disputes that do not involve us directly.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
These verses highlight the qualities that should characterize our interactions with others. Love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control contribute to an environment that discourages contention.
By cultivating these qualities through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can counteract contentions and promote peace and unity.
Proverbs 16:28
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
This verse emphasizes the destructive effects of gossip and perverse behavior on relationships. Engaging in gossip and spreading rumors only serves to separate and create conflict among friends.
Instead, we should strive to build others up, choose our words wisely, and maintain the trust and closeness of our relationships.
1 Peter 3:8-9
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
These verses provide a blueprint for how we should relate to others, particularly in the midst of contentions. Sympathy, love, compassion, and humility allow us to respond to conflict with grace.
By choosing to bless instead of retaliating, we can break the cycle of contention and experience the blessings and inheritance promised to us as children of God.