Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. To quarrel with a neighbor is foolish; a man with good sense holds his tongue.
   Hatred stirs old quarrels, but love overlooks insults. A wise man holds his tongue. A fool is quick-tempered; a wise man stays cool when insulted. The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left. He shall be the servant of a wiser man. Sometimes you see people who speak too quickly. There is more hope for a foolish person than for them. A rebel shouts in anger; a wise man holds his temper in and cools it.
   An evil person makes evil plans. And his words are like a burning fire. Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it! A dry crust eaten in peace is better than steak every day along with argument and strife. Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city. Pride will destroy a person. A proud attitude leads to ruin. A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
   A person who quickly gets angry causes trouble. But a person who controls his temper stops a quarrel. An angry person causes trouble. A person who easily gets angry sins a lot. A person who does not control himself is like a city whose walls have been broken down. If the boss is angry with you, don't quit! A quiet spirit will quiet his bad temper. Charcoal and wood keep a fire going. In the same way, a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going.
   Christ, Who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in His steps: He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when He suffered He did not threaten to get even; He left His case in the hands of God Who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in His own body when He died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For His wounds have healed ours!

Taken from Jas. 4, Pr. 20, 11, 10, 12, 29, 16, I Pt. 3, Pr. 17, 15, 25, Ec. 10,Pr. 26, I Pt. 2,
The Everyday Bible, The New International Version and The Living Bible.
For free Lifescope book, write to Box 1575, Carlsbad, NM 88221.
Please send $1.00 for postage/handling.