Proverbs of the New Testament - Strife and Conflicts

Proverbs of the New Testament – Strife and Conflicts

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James 4:1-2a

What leads to strife and how do conflicts, quarrels, and fighting originate among you? Do they not arise from sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?

You are jealous and covet what others have and your desires go unfulfilled; so you become murderers. To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned. You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain the gratification, contentment, and happiness that you seek, so you fight and war….

A few lessons ago we talked about jealousy and envy, so I won’t go into that today. I do , however want to talk about conflicts and hate.

Conflicts almost always begin because someone either does not get their way, or people do not agree about something. When we get into arguments for these things it comes from pride. We don’t want to be wrong, we don’t want to let things go, we don’t want to give something up, or we are just plain stubborn. When the Church allows quarrels and conflict to go unchecked it weakens us. That is why our adversary works overtime trying to generate discord in the Body.

The only way we can overcome this is to recognize it, and then not allow it to manifest itself and disable the Church. Until we get over ourselves and start loving each other and being obedient children, we will continue to see the Church become more and more powerless.

James goes so far as to say that when we hate it is like we are committing murder in our hearts. That statement sounds a lot like when Jesus said simply looking at another with lust we have already committed adultery. These are HUGE statements.

It is an issue that begins on the inside. It is a heart matter. And where does it all begin? The mind. Our minds are the first line of attack. The enemy sends all his forces to the mind, because he knows that if he can get our minds, he will get our hearts.

The only way to protect our minds from becoming the devils playground is to consistently study…not just read…study God’s Word. Most Christians go to church, but few have an active and consistent life in the Word. Most of us are too busy making sure we don’t miss the next Survivor episode. Most of us hardly ever feed our spirits outside of our church visits. And that my friends is why we have gay marriages and no prayers in school. The Church is overcome with the mind of the world instead of the Mind of Christ.

If we would just set our hearts and minds on Him, we would have less discord and more productivity in the Church. And the devil would not have so much control over our entertainment, government, and the Body as a whole.

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, please forgive me for any discord that I have encouraged or been involved in. Your Word says that blessed are the peacemakers. Well, I want to be blessed. I want my life to please You. Help me to recognize when the enemy is trying to bring any strife into my life. Help me to show Your love and mercy to others and not need to always be right. I ask that You remove any hate or animosity from my heart and replace it with Your love and compassion. Thank You, Daddy God. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,

Lara ;)