Much of what people fight over in church today is trivial and worthless and grieves the Holy Spirit. But there are some things worth fighting over. In our Bible reading for today, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem from Babylon and he finds that many are no longer worshipping God. They were defying God’s Word of “remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” Nehemiah found this sin of polluting the Sabbath worthy of fighting over, and said to those who defied God’s “holy day,” “Why lodge ye about the wall? If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you.” There are some things worth fighting over.
From the rule of St. Benedict, Sixth Century A.D.
If any pilgrim monk come from distant parts, with wish as a guest to dwell in the monastery, and will be content with the customs which he finds in the place, and do not perchance by his lavishness disturb the monastery, but is simply content with what he finds, he shall be received, for as long a time as he desires. If, indeed, he find fault with anything, or expose it, reasonably, and with the humility of charity, the Abbot shall discuss it prudently, lest perchance God has sent him for this very thing. But if he have been found gossipy and contumacious in the time of his sojourn as guest, not only ought he not to be joined to the body of the monastery, but also it shall be said to him, honestly, that he must depart. If he does not go, let two stout monks, in the name of God, explain the matter to him.
But I caution you to pick and choose your fights carefully and prayerfully. “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
What to do:
✞Make sure your fight is a worthy cause, not a personal attack.
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