THIS IS THE MESSAGE WE HAVE HEARD FROM HIM AND DECLARE TO YOU: GOD IS LIGHT; IN HIM THERE IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL. IF WE CLAIM TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM YET WALK IN THE DARKNESS, WE LIE AND DO NOT LIVE BY THE TRUTH
(1 John 1:5-6).

The other day my husband and I had a two-hour long argument.  He was holding onto his opinions and I was holding onto mine.  I desperately wanted him to accept my opinion as the correct one and I was determined not to give up until I won the argument.  Just as I thought I was on my way to victory, the Spirit of Truth tugged at my heart, “Child, you are the one who is wrong.  You have a false belief in your mind that proclaims that you do not count.  This accusatory belief from the father-of-lies is the reason you are so vehemently defending your point.  It is not important to Me that you win the argument, but it IS important to Me that you walk in the Light—that you surrender this belief to Me, so that you may live by My Truth.”

I felt touched that God went to all the trouble to tell me what was going on in my heart, but I also felt humiliated.  I now had to tell my husband that I was wrong: that there was a belief in my mind from the father-of-lies that made me feel that I did not count—that this was the reason I was arguing in the first place.  I had to give up the argument and let him win.

I confessed my wrong belief to my husband and to God, because I wanted to live in the Light.  It was more important to me to live by the Truth and have fellowship with my God than to win the argument with my husband. But, the choice I made allowed my heart to be set free from the accusatory belief from the father-of-lies that had been oppressing it, since childhood. Although I lost the argument, I won back my heart…and fellowship with God and my husband.

May it become more important to you to walk in the Light and enjoy intimate fellowship with your God and your conversation partner…than to win the argument.

Why do you argue with other people? Are you trying to prove to yourself or them that you are worthy…that you are valuable…that you count?

When you feel like arguing, become sensitive to your own heart. Listen to what it is trying to tell you. Find the accusatory beliefs from the father-of-lies that are driving your deceitful desire to argue…to fight for your heart…to achieve victory over your conversation partner. Then, turn your ear to God and listen to His Counsel, instead.

PRAYER: God of Light, how encouraged I am that there is no darkness in You. I long to walk in Your Light. I desire to have fellowship with You, even during the times when the father-of-lies lures me into senseless arguments. Lead me to live by the Truth, at all times, so I may know that I am worthy, that I count, and that I am important. Then, I will not have to argue to achieve victory over my conversation partner.