Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation."
Mark 8:11-12
It's never a good thing to argue with the Lord. The Pharisees thought that they had their theology, their ethics, and their ways of life in perfect order. But that's where they got themselves into trouble; their hearts were hard. It's one thing to share your heart, your trouble, and your anxiety with the Lord; it's a whole other ballgame to pick a fight with Him. The moment we feel that we "have it all together" is the moment that Isaiah 55:8-9 should come rushing into our hearts.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
You see, the Pharisees wanted to dispute, argue, and cause disagreements. And sad to say, at times, we can also get caught doing this as well. But God wants something better of us. He doesn't want us to complain, criticize, and dispute over stuff. We are to let the love of Jesus Christ radiate through our lives.
So look at Jesus' response to their disputes. The first thing Mark tells us is that Jesus sighed. He wasn't sharp or bitter in His response; He sighed in frustration over their lack of faith. I believe that their response really hurt Him. And when we do or say things that hinder the work of the Lord, He takes a big deep breath and He sighs. You don't want that happening. So when you start to feel like you're becoming angry or upset or argumentative about something, remember these verses. Take a deep breath, yourself, and allow the Holy Spirit to calm you down. The Lord wants to do something amazing in your soul, so be in a place where you are seeking and focusing on Him.
