"For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife." (Proverbs 30:33, ESV)
Some of us understand what to squeeze; when we ought to apply pressure to what. You see from today's proverb, there are somethings that are not wise to press. The English Standard Version Bible study notes say, "Those given to obnoxious and conniving behavior would do well to become quiet and still, or they will soon be embroiled in conflict."
It's just true. Sometimes we push people and situations at times when it is just not going to obtain the result we desire. In 1 Samuel 24, David refused to kill King Saul. David understood three things that only God-given discernment could reveal to him: (1) King Saul was not a person he was allowed to press; (2) it was not time to press; (3) though PEOPLE pressed him to press Saul, he would not listen to unwise counsel.
Proverbs 15:1 is wise counsel in this case: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1, ESV) Sometimes, instead of pressing or stirring, we need to calm and act as peacemakers.
May God give us discernment to see the way we ought to go...what to press (as in milk for curds) and what not to press, too.
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