During my hunting days, it was common for me to pass over a few of the smaller bucks in my quest for an appropriately sized whitetail deer for our freezer. This meant more time in the woods, but I did not mind at all. When you are careful with your stalking techniques and properly outfitted in camo gear, you can get really close to the deer. I enjoyed watching the animals relating to one another and the environment.
During the mating season, known as “the rut,” bucks seek out the opposite sex and begin their mating rituals. It is common to see two of these stags fighting over the same doe or defending their territory. A battle between angry bucks is something to see. Occasionally, I would come upon two dead bucks with their horns interlocked. Sometimes they fight so stubbornly that when their horns get jammed together, they die in a fighting position. They get absolutely stuck, unable to find a way of cooperating. Perhaps together on bent knees, both might eat, drink, or eventually break free from each other, but instead they proudly stand their ground. Mark Twain wrote, “Temper is what gets most of us into trouble. Pride is what keeps us there.” This is true with deer and humans as well.
Unfortunately the locked horns remind me of many relationships found in homes, schools, factories, offices, and even churches. Well-meaning people can become so enraged and entrenched in their positions and passions that they angrily confront those who oppose them. In the process, they “lock horns” and seem unable to ask each other for forgiveness, find a mutual way of serving one another in love, or even communicate their real desires and needs. Standing their ground, both parties suffer and ultimately lose. Their quality of life often becomes less than what God wants, and the folks around them suffer and feel the stress of the situation. Sometimes they get so stuck that relationships become wounded or even die. It does not have to end like that, but that is the great tragedy in these situations.
We find good counsel in the Proverb: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy than to divide the spoils with the proud” (Proverbs 16:18-19). Humility is the great equalizer and diffuser of anger. It is the beginning of curiosity, compromise, and cooperation. It is the pathway to forgiveness and reconciliation. From it comes wisdom, honor, and blessings. “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life” (Proverbs 22:4). In one form or another, death is the price of pride.
Scripture Reading: James 1:19-21
Personal Application: Has your anger caused you to “lock horns” with someone? Has pride got you stuck? God wants you to seek forgiveness and reconciliation “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 2-3). Ask God to prepare your heart to communicate with love and to prepare theirs to receive your humble spirit.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5