Don’t Look for Exceptions

(Proverbs 3:30 KJV)  Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

Sometimes when we are given directions in our behavior we see qualifiers.  That happens again here.  In fact, in this verse there are two.  Let’s consider the first. 

Our NT thinking tells us not to “strive” (contend NASB) (7378).  You are familiar with some of the difficult teaching of Jesus such as,

(Matthew 5:39 KJV)  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

But notice that here it is qualified by “without cause” (2600).  That seems to infer that there might be times when contention is proper.  Our problems as fallible humans is that we think that means "usually" instead of "in exceptional cases."

So?  Be a peacemaker.  Assume you don’t have cause.  That is the default.  The other cheek is waiting to be turned.