A Call to Excellence
  • Devotionals
  • About
  • Contact

Put Out the Fire

By Tim Kight on February 28, 2020

Proverbs 26.20
“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.”

Unfortunately, it happens all the time. You’ve seen it. You’ve experienced it. You’ve done it. We all have. It happens in organizations and on teams and in churches. It even happens in marriages and families. It’s called many things: Gossip, backbiting, blaming, complaining, whining. 

This verse in Proverbs calls it “whispering.” It’s the Hebrew word nirgan. Interpersonal conflict is often fueled by gossip and whispering. When we refrain from gossip and backbiting, conflict goes away.  

When we gossip about each other, we demonstrate a lack of obedience to God and a lack of love toward others. We exalt ourselves and sit in judgment over them. Jesus warned against this when he said, “Do not judge lest you be judged.”  

Therefore, the message in scripture is very straightforward: Stop doing it. 

Proverbs 26.21
“As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.” 

Quarrelsome people create and feed conflict. They fuel the fire of dissension and division. They make life miserable for themselves and the people around them. This is true for any kind of relationship: at home, at work, and in our friendships. 

It’s also true culturally, and it is with great sadness that we witness it being played out in today’s political landscape. This is the identity politics used by many that seeks to “kindle strife” among the citizenry. Do not participate in it. Do not add fuel to the fire. Don’t fan the flames.

The wise person seeks to avoid conflict. The foolish person is combative and easily drawn into quarrels and fights. It’s a matter of being disciplined and self-controlled vs being undisciplined and impulsive. 

Our world is made better by disciplined people who are peace-makers and who seek to avoid conflict. Our world is made harsh and cruel by people who lack self-control, and who are always looking for a fight. 

You see combative people on the road. You read them on twitter, in fan forums, and in the commentary sections in blogs and on websites. You see them at protests and rallies. They are arrogant fools who love to criticize and fight. 

They are not going to go away; they will always be there. So ignore them. Leave them to their own devices. 

Proverbs 26.22
“The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.” 

When you gossip, it’s like eating food that tastes good, but then it makes you sick. This verse warns you not to offer “delicious gossip” to others, and don’t consume it when others offer it to you.

Share
Tweet
Share
0 Shares

Topics: Proverbs

Share:

Share
Tweet
Share
0 Shares
  • Previous Devotional
  • Next Devotional

Subscribe to Daily Devotionals

Enter your email address below and get the daily devotional delivered to your inbox every weekday.

Recent Devotionals

More Words

By Tim Kight on October 17, 2019

Proverbs 21.23“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”

Continue Reading

The Wounds of a Friend

By Tim Kight on March 13, 2020

Proverbs 27.5-6“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of…

Continue Reading

Truth

By Tim Kight on December 6, 2019

Proverbs 23.23“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

Continue Reading

About Tim Kight

Founder of Focus 3, Tim focuses on the critical factors that distinguish great organizations from average organizations. He delivers a powerful message on the mindset & skills at the heart of individual & organizational performance.

Learn More
Share
Tweet
Share
0 Shares

Footer

  • About Tim
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 a Call to Excellence. All rights reserved.