Proverbs 3:29-30. Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. 30Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
If the last set of proverbs were warnings against sins of omission, then here we have a warning against sins of commission. Don’t plot evil against an unsuspecting neighbor, and don’t contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
This sounds like common sense and we may even question why such reminders have to even be in the Bible. Of course the Bible answers that question with its numerous stories of people panning evil against the innocent and fighting those who have done no harm. By the fourth chapter of the Bible this proverb is being ignored. Cain contended with innocent Abel. Later, it was Sarah expelling innocent Hagar. Judah enslaving annoying but innocent Joseph. David planning evil against innocent Uriah.
Shame breeds paranoia. Shame breeds self-preservation. Shame breeds blaming the innocent.
Have you ever picked a fight with someone just to feel better about yourself? Have you harbored hatred for a people or person simply because you didn’t like where they came from, what they looked like, or what they believed? Are you a bully? With your spouse? Your kids? Your employees? Do you stir up strife and conflict?
Obviously all of this violates God’s law – Love your neighbor as yourself. God’s Spirit – The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. Our identity in Christ – Blessed are the peacemakers. And God’s will – If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Those living from the Spirit of the indwelling Christ have no need to pursue trouble, plot evil, or pick fights. Why not? Because in Christ there is nothing left for us to lose and nothing left for us to gain. To the degree that we recall that in Christ we have been given all things necessary for godliness, all peace, all love, all goodness, all honor, we will be able to resist the lie that we have to cover our shame with acts of self-preservation.
You: Who are the innocent people in your life that are taking the brunt of your shame and anger?
You in Christ: How does knowing that you have everything you need allow you to try to take from others?
Christ in you: What contention do you need to own, apologize for, and bring to an end by the power of Christ’s indwelling love and acceptance of you?
Pray: Father, from your peace in my heart let me bring peace to others. Amen.
To Live is Christ 