In Proverb 13:10 Solomon declares that contention only comes by pride. He does not add “unless you are in the right…” When you are in contention, the spirit of leviathan rises up and brings himself to birth in your life. Job 41:34 tells us that Leviathan is the king of all the children of pride. The scales of Leviathan’s pride are so tight one to another than no air (pneuma/spirit) can penetrate them (Job 41:16).
What are Leviathan’s scales? They represent men’s opinions. In Matt. 7:1 Jesus said “judge not.” That word judge means to “have or hand down an opinion.” When opinions lodge in our minds Leviathan is in the ascendancy. Isa. 27:1 tells us that Leviathan is a piercing serpent that swims in the sea of humanity that God will destroy with the sword of His hand.
Jesus said, “the prince of this world comes and has no place in Me” (John 14:30). Does Leviathan have a place in your life? Have you lined his dwelling-place in your heart with comfy opinions that he fluffs up like pillows where he can make himself at home inside you?
Choose the place of humility today. Don’t enter into contention even if you think you are in the right. Jesus said in Matthew 23:12 if we humble ourselves we will be exalted but pride will only bring abasement. Most people reading this will insist of course that they have no pride but look for the markers of opinion and contention and you will expose pride’s dwelling place in your heart. Root him out. Deny him access to your thoughts and your words.
Go low in humility and stay in the place of worship. Humility is God’s secret weapon. The enemy has no defense against it and when you move in humility it acts as a cloak of invisibility that hides you from the strife of tongues (Psalm 31:20). Remember that in the multitude of words there is no lack of sin (Prov. 19:10). Listen for His voice in the silence between your own thoughts and quiet yourself like a suckling child (Psalm 131:2). Then all your paths will be peace and promotion will be your portion (Proverbs 3:17).
