14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;     so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—     the Lord detests them both.16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,     when they are not able to understand it?17 A friend loves at all times,     and a brother is born for a time of adversity.18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge     and puts up security for a neighbor.19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;     whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.REFLECTIONSWritten by Michael LegaspiAs I reflected on Proverbs 17, I found it quite a challenge.Verse 14 - Oh the emotions, they are powerful indeed. It sounds like common sense but there are many times we want to break down the dam walls instead of drawing the water out slowly. Personally I don’t think this verse is saying you can’t have a disputes or disagreements but rather it’s warning us that starting a quarrel can unleash a torrent of emotions and actions which can cause great destruction. So before you pick a quarrel consider the consequences and ask whether it’s worth it.Verse 15 reminded me of how I tend to look away from people who are being treated unjustly or wronged, only to be reminded of how fearful I am. Should I let it go because I know this world is broken? Will me trying actually change anything? Having a heart like the Lord is quite a challenge and a challenge we can’t do alone.Verse 16. No amount of money in the world can buy you wisdom, and even if it were given freely only a wise person will gain from being taught God’s wisdom. This is an expression of how valuable wisdom is, and what a valuable gift it is to receive from God. As I reflected on this I saw how much God desires and loves his people. He gives a gift that no amount of wealth can ever buy. It begs the question, am I receptive to God’s wisdom? Do I seek it humbly from his word?Verse 17. The precious friendships we have with people are truly amazing. A friend loves at all times, but I thought only family does that! I found it quite a challenge to define a true friend as someone who loves at all times, and so to be called to love my friends in that way, the way God does. But also, knowing that adversity can sometimes turn friends into brothers – that makes adversity worth the pain. (John 15:14-15) Verse 19. If you LOVE quarrelling or fighting or arguing with people you LOVE sin. I think God says this because to LOVE arguing or fighting shows that we don’t value the relationship. And to build your gate high is to build in excess, and that is a sign of arrogance which invites destruction from God.ABOUT THE AUTHORMichael is a member of our Bossley Park Morning Church.