Select your adversaries with care.
ADAGE
Know When to Fight
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RESPONSE
Select your adversaries with care. Never underestimate the ability of an adversary to cause you grief in the future. People will revenge themselves for small offenses as much as for large ones. Choose your fights carefully, even with existing adversaries. Don’t get into a fight unless it is worth it. Don’t get into a fight unless you can win it. If you can get a similar result without a fight, do it. You cannot benefit from a needless fight. Fights are costly propositions even when won. If it is worth a fight, it is worth winning. There is no fight that you can be certain you will win, no matter how disadvantaged your opponent. Don’t skimp, and fight to win. Most importantly make sure the organization has the will to fight. Can you discern the difference between friend and foe? Between light and dark? When faced with an adversary, is your first instinct to fight? Christians have been taught to reject aggression, but are there times when aggression is needed in order to fulfill God’s will? The goal is peace with all, so that all can be influenced for Christ. Some will resist and cause conflict. Do your best to be at peace with everyone. That is the goal, so you can influence everyone to love Jesus first and foremost, just as you exemplify this in your life.
SCRIPTURE
Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Psalm 144:1 (ESV) Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.
QUESTIONS
How do the Scripture(s) apply to the business adage?
Ephesians 6:16 talks about the flaming arrows of the evil one. How do you defend against such attacks?
How do we pray on our knees to act on our feet?
When is a fight worth it?
An unethical competitor has been spreading lies about the quality of your products. Some of your customers are starting to believe them. What do you do?
Is a competitor an adversary? Explain.
Is the government an adversary? Explain.
Should your enterprise have the will to fight? What do you think that means and what does it look like?
DOWNLOAD
Download the free PDF worksheet for this adage, print it, and use it in your meeting, conference, or group.
