Putting Out the Fire

"Where there is no wood the fire goes out." The spread of forest fires is often prevented by the cutting of firebreaks, strips of land where all the trees have been cut down. If a fire does start, it usually advance only to that point and then dies out. Similarly, there are ways to prevent-or at least limit disagreements. One way is to communicate and work out a compromise before an argument flares up.
For example, is the problem a lack of privacy? If so, at a time when the issue is not raging, try sitting down together and working out an actual schedule. Then "let your word Yes mean Yes or No, No" by respecting the agreement. If something comes up that calls for an adjustment let the other person know in advance, instead of just thrusting the change upon him or her without notice.
Are you battling over property rights? One teenager complained: My stepsister always used my things without asking me. She even used my makeup, and then had the nerve to tell me I didn't buy the right kind! You could cal upon your parents as final arbiters but better yet, sit down with your brother or sister at a calm moment. Rather than quibble over personal "rights," be ready to "share" try to agree upon some rules regarding borrowing, one of which might be always to ask before taking. Work out compromises if necessary. In this way you can watch "fire go out" before it starts!
But what if a sibling's personality simply rubs you the wrong way. Really, you can do little change to that one. So learn to 'put up with one another in love.' Instead of magnifying a sibling's faults and flaws apply Christian love, which "covers a multitude of sins." Instead of being abrasive or unkind, put away "wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech," and let "your utterance be always with graciousness."