A. Avoid getting drawn into arguments:

PRO 17:14. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

PRO 26:4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

PRO 29:11. A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

PHI 2:3. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

2TIM 2:24. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

1PE 3:9. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

2KI 18:36. But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

B. Listen carefully & think about what you say:

PRO 15:28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

PRO 18:13. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

JAM 1:19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

C. Don't get provoked & answer rashly:

PRO 15:18. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

PRO 16:32. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

PRO 25:8. Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

PRO 29:20. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

ECC 5:2. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

D. Speak calmly:

PRO 15:1. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

PRO 22:11. He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

E. What causes arguments & contention:

PRO 10:12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

PRO 13:10. Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

PRO 15:1. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

PRO 15:18. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

PRO 18:6. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

PRO 26:21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

PRO 28:25. He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

PRO 29:22. An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

ACT 13:45. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

1TI 6:4. He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

JAM 4:1. From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

PRO 26:17. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

F. The futility of arguing:

JOB 6:25. How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

PRO 9:7. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

PRO 9:8. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

PRO 23:9. Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

PRO 29:9. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

G. Ending an argument:

PRO 17:9. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

PRO 20:3. It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

PRO 22:10. Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

COL 3:13. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

GEN 50:20. But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

GEN 50:21. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

H. Warning to those who love a good argument:

PRO 17:19. He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

1COR 3:3. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

JAM 3:14. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

JAM 3:15. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

I. The bad fruit of arguments:

PSA 106:33. Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.

PRO 18:19. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

ACT 15:39. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

GAL 5:15. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

JAM 3:16. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

J. When it is right to contend:

PRO 26:5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

PRO 28:4. They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

PRO 28:23. He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

ACT 15:1. And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

ACT 15:2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

JUD 1:3. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

K. Humbly explain to correct & instruct the receptive:

GAL 6:1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2TIM 2:25. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

JAM 5:20. Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins