SERMON ILLUSTRATION (BY SPURGEON) describes how to escape conflict.

Spurgeon was a master illustrator. You can use this illustration in your preaching to describe how to escape conflict.

To remain quiet is generally the way to baffle an adversary. Indeed, there is no weapon with which he can wound you. If you will not yield to give railing for railing, what is to be done with you?

It is much the same as when a certain duke proclaimed war against a peaceful neighbor who was resolved not to fight. The troops came riding to the town and found the gates open as on ordinary occasions. The children were playing in the streets, and the blacksmith was at his forge, and the shopkeepers were at their counters. And so, pulling up their horses, the soldiers inquired, “Where is the enemy?”

“We don’t know. We are friends.” What was to be done under the circumstances but to ride home?

So it is in life, if you only meet evil with good the bad man’s occupation is gone.