When I first read this passage early in my faith journey, it gave me new insight into the root cause of the countless arguments I had observed working in labor relations for large companies. Discussions that had begun in a positive tone quickly deteriorated, when somebody took something personally. The results always followed the same pattern of raised voices, a shutdown of positive progress toward mutual understanding and damaged relationships. If the “injured party” was the person with more authority, the results were particularly destructive. People just stopped listening to anything but the tone of voice of the angry leader. When I thought of the times, as a leader in my home, I had raised my voice because of hurt feelings, I began to ask myself “What was hurting?” – the answer was usually my pride. I came to know that my pride is never a good place to start or finish any discussion. It never serves me well or the people I love. Humility and anger rarely travel in the same company.
“Pride alone causes quarrels”- Proverbs 13:10
Written by Phil Hodges
