One of the best ways of getting yourself into trouble is to get into a fight. I’ve seen people relish the opportunity, confident they’d win, only to come out of it licking their wounds or worse.

Have you ever done that? I have, on more than one occasion back in the day, and it’s not something I’m keen to repeat. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no shrinking violet. In fact, I have rather a strong personality. My very name – Bernhard – means strong as a bear.

But when we approach an emerging conflict with over-confidence, convinced that we’re right, that pride clouds our judgement, blinding us to the dangers ahead. Way back in the Old Testament …

1 Kings 20:11 King Ahab answered, “Tell Ben-Hadad that the man who puts on his armour should not boast as much as the man who lives long enough to take it off.”

The point Ahab’s making here is that it’s unwise to boast of a victory before the battle’s even begun. The one preparing for battle by “putting on their armour” shouldn’t boast like someone who has already won.

Put another way, it’s way easier to start a fight than to win one. Of course, sometimes conflict is inevitable. Sometimes you do indeed have to stand up and be counted. But those times are more the exception than the rule.

Jesus won the greatest battle in all of history by refusing to fight. He saved the likes of you and me by surrendering to death on a cross and allowing God to win the victory by raising Him again on the third day.

Don’t fight battles unless you absolutely have to. And certainly don’t boast of victory while you’re putting on your armour.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.