UNPACK This...Being a Good Teammate in Lifeಮಾದರಿ

Unnecessary Conflict

If you are a professional golf fan, you are undoubtedly aware of the controversy that emerged from the formation of LIV Golf in 2022.

Speaking in 2024 about his desire to see golf leagues unify, Rory McIlroy said, "So I think everyone's just got to get over it and we all have to say, O.K., this is the starting point and we move forward."

In response to McIlroy's argument, Golf Channel analyst Johnson Wagner fired back by stating, "He's just telling everyone they've 'got to get over it.' He's said some things over the past couple of seasons that have rubbed a lot of players the wrong way."

Regardless of how you felt about introducing LIV Golf into the golfing landscape, we all saw how certain players increased tension and division with some of the comments made in the media.

Whether in sports or any other area of life, we all have strong opinions about specific topics.

However, as followers of Jesus, it takes wisdom to realize that it is sometimes possible to cause unnecessary conflict with the things we choose to share.

When reading through scripture, we can see very clearly that there are certain beliefs on which we cannot compromise.

Yet, we must learn to exercise restraint and self-control so that we do not needlessly offend people with our words.

2 Timothy 2:24 (ESV) says, "And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil."

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) offers a good guiding principle for determining whether or not it would be wise and appropriate to share our opinions with others:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what helps build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Before sharing with others, we should ask ourselves if what we are about to share will help build up the other person and benefit them. If not, then it would be wise to keep that matter to ourselves.

Today, let's avoid unnecessary quarrels by being thoughtful about what we share with others.

I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me be wise about what I share with others. Teach me to avoid unnecessary conflict, and please allow me to share only what benefits others. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.