Nothing is more distasteful than a quarrelsome, contentious attitude. The young boy with the proverbial chip on his shoulder is ready to settle every disagreement -- "Wan'na fight about it?"

Paul said he preached in Thessalonica, "with much contention," but he repudiated and condemned a contentious attitude. "As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife" (Prov. 26:21).

Many noble and notable victories for truth have been the product of public discussions, but all Christians, hearers and speakers alike, must guard against the spirit of contention. It is not pretty to listen to the contentious man whenever any type of disagreement is apparent, for his attitude is, "let's sign propositions!" If someone asks how many humps the camel had from which John the Baptist got his clothing, the contentious man says, "We can settle that issue in a four night debate!"

Contending should be without contention; striving should be without strife. Let it be so.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 16, p. 2a
February 24, 1972