Take the Gloves Off!

Refusing to Fight Those Who Provoke You

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Do you have a friend or family member who, whenever you get together or chat on Facebook, just seems to push your buttons?  Did you know you can stop the battle before it begins?  It's true!  Refusing to get into a heated discussion or argument starts by declaring, "I'm not going to fight with you." 

First, pray and remember when  you speak the words, "I'm not going to fight you," you are confessing that you just won't give in it.  You will not get into another disagreement that ends in hurt feelings, you will not allow that person to manipulate you, and you will not let Satan get that part of your life.

Then, and this is one of the most difficult things to do, just refuse to use words to lash out.  You've probably heard the saying, "You're not responsible for other people's actions, but you are responsible for your own."  That is so true!  You can't necessarily stop the other person from saying things to antagonize you, but you can decide not to say anything back.  Nothing shuts a disagreement down faster than when one party stops the flow of communication.  

Finally, you can pray if the situation seems to continue to escalate.  You're unleashing the power of God to work in that situation, to bring you peace and comfort, and to focus on Him and not the person trying to bade you.

Is refusing to fight always easy?  Many times, it's not.  It's tough and takes constant reminding that it's not really the person that your fighting against, it's Satan.  Fighting, arguing and strife come from him, not from God.  God wants us to live in peace, love, joy and righteousness!  

And remember this verse:  "The enemy comes to kill, to steal, and to destroy; but I've come to give your life and life more abundantly!" (John 10:10).  If the disagreement or argument is killing your spirit, stealing time with that person or destroying the relationship, it's Satan trying to attack you.  But you have the choice of taking off the gloves and refusing to get into the fight!

Blessings!