Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. – Ecclesiastes 9:18 ESV
Warfare is necessary when sufficient preparations have not been taken to maintain peace. But even when we prepare ourselves, the influence of sin in this fallen world will not allow us this life completely free from battle — unless in fact, we are the unresisting sinner participating willingly in the destruction.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” – Matthew 10:34 ESV
So in the end, wisdom is greater — even greater than war, even greater than peace.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 ESV
Harold J. Ballinger 