THE QUARRELSOME SPIRIT

Eberhard Arnold, (1883-1935) was a German theologian and Christian writer. He was the founder of the Bruderhof (Christian community) in 1920. He wrote:

“People who have such a high opinion of themselves that they cannot admit a mistake are living in the deepest untruthfulness and insincerity. Egotism must be condemned, not just because it does not fit well in community or because it is morally wrong, but because it is lying and death. It is poisoned through and through and brings destruction. It is the mortal disease. The quarrelsome spirit that destroys community comes from this mortal disease of the soul. Self-centered people are mortally sick. They must be redeemed.
Touchiness, self-love, and self-centeredness are obstacles to community.” (From The Plough)

An inflated ego pops like a balloon and contaminates marriages, parenting, friendships, relationships and communities. What usually follows this destructive path is a quarrelsome spirit that tries to defend its prideful actions. There is no defense and get ready for a thump: “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus