A quarrelsome person starts fights 
      as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.
Proverbs 26:21 (NLT)

I’m a firm believer in discourse. I think dialogue is a healthy thing. As a blogger, I’ve had plenty of people disagree with me on various posts through the years. When people jot a comment to respectfully contradict, correct or state an opposite opinion I always approve the comment and will typically respond.

What I have little tolerance for, however, is the person good King Solomon describes as a “quarrelsome person.” I don’t believe in picking fights for the sake of fighting. I can’t stand the unnecessary stirring of the pot, demonizing of others, or bitter words meant as a verbal poke in the chest in challenge. That goes for people on either side of an issue, whether I happen to agree with their view of an issue or not. At one time in life I was a talk radio junkie, but I wearied of the bombastic monologues, incessant name calling and subversive barbs that seem necessary to make it on the air.

I sometimes think the internet and the blogosphere has enflamed and multiplied quarrelsome people of all persuasions by providing them opportunity to anonymously spread their own anger, hatred and vitriol. At least in my little corner of the blogosphere I get a chance to flag the quarrelsome person’s comment before anyone else sees it. I take my humble role as editor of comments seriously.

Today, I’m grateful for honest discourse among seekers of truth. I’m praying for discernment in my interactions with the quarrelsome people I encounter in life. I’m asking for the wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent.