No Harm, No Foul

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

How are we to understand when “harm” (7463a) has been done to us?  Face it.  At times we are overly sensitive.  We are self centered.  We see things through our experience and struggle.  A business agreement that does not make a profit could be considered harm.  A remodel of your kitchen could go over budget.  That certainly can harm your financial situation.  That is not what this is talking about.

The most common translation of this word by far in both the NASB and KJV is “evil”.  This puts our response on a whole different level.  We are not allowed to “strive” (contend NASB) (7378) just because someone else beats us in some competition, business, sports or life.  Evil is another matter.  Evil has an objective element to it.  Evil is measurable in the truths God has given us in His written word.  Evil is real.  Fight it but know what you are fighting.

So?  You can be politically active.  You can get out and make noise.  Just make sure that you are not feeding your ego.  A good measuring stick is if the issue is for others and has no personal benefit.