Do You Want Peace?
Our text today is Proverbs 30:33: “For as the churning of milk produces butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so stirring up anger brings forth strife.”
This proverb, with its vivid imagery, reminds us that our actions have inevitable consequences. Just as churning milk produces butter and twisting a nose causes bleeding, provoking anger leads to conflict. Husbands and wives who have been married for a while know how to push each other’s buttons. However, wise couples avoid doing so, understanding that certain behaviors naturally lead to specific outcomes. Those who seek peace steer clear of actions that incite anger.
Some outcomes are as predictable as the laws of nature. Churning milk and twisting a nose are simple actions with clear results. Similarly, our emotional responses and actions follow a natural progression. Depending on how we manage them, they can be either constructive or destructive.
If we desire a life of peace, we must avoid actions that lead to strife. By controlling our temper and reactions, we can foster peace in our relationships and communities. Just as we choose not to churn milk or twist a nose unnecessarily, we can choose not to stir up anger. In doing so, we create an environment of peace around us.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.