An unusual zoo exhibit had a monkey and
a lion together inside the same cage. A visitor noticed the zookeeper
standing nearby and said, “This is a great exhibit. How do the lion and monkey
get along?”
The zookeeper replied, “Pretty well. But whenever they have a disagreement, we have a get a new monkey.” (Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals, Day 50).
Are you the lion? Or are you the monkey? The lion says, “I like to argue. I find it stimulating. That monkey gets on my nerves!” There’s a lesson here about dysfunctional relationships. The lion is going to win every time, so the monkey doesn’t need to “try to get along” with the lion. It just needs to stay out of the lion’s cage.
But there’s another lesson here about avoiding
unnecessary arguments. Paul
said, “But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing
that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be
quarrelsome, but be kind to all [and] patient when wronged.” (2 Tim.
2:23-24).
When people start arguing and fighting, Satan joins in the disagreement and adds fuel to the fire, which makes the conflict even worse. We need to understand that our struggle isn’t actually with the other person, but with demonic spirits (Eph. 6:12). Understanding our spiritual warfare can keep us from falling into Satan’s quarreling trap. King Solomon gave this wise advice: “Avoiding strife is an HONOR for a man, but any fool will quarrel” (Prov. 20:3).
So the next time someone tries to start an argument with you, remember the zoo exhibit. You don’t want to end up like the monkey. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
My book FINDING GOD’S WILL is now an Amazon audiobook for $4.50. To listen to chapter one, click on this link and play the “Virtual voice sample” just below the picture of the cover.
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