The argument fizzles when I stop trying to defend myself. This works whether I'm right or wrong in the situation.
It's the moment when I reel in my emotions & understand that I love this person more than how I'm treating them right now & there is a better, more productive way to have this discussion.
When did proving my point become more important than loving this person?
Discussions can be had without arguing, but arguing never produces real discussions. It can only produce hurt & confusion because arguments are all based in pride. The pride of being right or defending your own actions.
Pride is sneaky & insidious. It sneaks into your life disguised as hurt feelings or justification. It wants to keep the argument alive until the other person either apologizes or concedes.
The Bible on the other hand tells us that pride brings destruction & that God resists it. It also tells us to be offended at nothing.
That's the goal we move towards. Letting him love us, so that we can love others.
It doesn't mean we'll never have a spirited discussion, but if we can learn to discuss out of love then not only will our topic most likely get resolved, but our relationships will flourish.
People are worth our patience & our relationships are worth our self-control.
1 Cor 13:4
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says,
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
