Otto von Bismarck, in 1850, was a 35-year-old deputy in the Prussian parliament. Germany was divided into several smaller, weaker states and were threatened with war by Austria, to their south. Prince William wanted to go to war. War fever was high, but King Frederick William IV and his ministers did not want war. They preferred to appease the Austrians.
Bismarck was passionate and patriotic. At the height of the pitch for war, he gave a speech before parliament. He warned, “Woe unto the statesman who makes war without a reason that will still be valid when the war is over! After the war, you will all look differently at these questions. Will you then have the courage to turn to the peasant contemplating the ashes of his farm, to the man who has been crippled, to the father who has lost his children?”
Bismarck’s speech had an effect; the clamor for war turned and war was averted. Within a few weeks, the king made Bismarck a cabinet minister. Later, he became Premier. Eventually, he would lead the Prussians into war against Austria and win. He would go on to establish a unified German state and Prussia would be its leader.
We do not always know how to respond to people. We can have a disagreement with a spouse, with our children, with our co-worker, with fellow-Christians. Disagreements are a part of life; unfortunately, severe disagreements can also be a part of life. If we are not careful, we can go to war with those around us without thinking through the consequences of our actions.
It can only take a few mistimed words or misspoken words or a tone of voice that was inappropriate and we have started a war. Human relationships can be extremely fragile.
James wrote that if we need wisdom, we should pray for it: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind” (1:5-6).
James, of course, will go on to talk about “war” in chapter 4:1. But in chapter 3, he will spend much time discussing the proper use of our tongue. Let’s pray regularly that we’ll use our tongues properly and avoid war with those around us.
Paul Holland
