Strife is defined in the dictionary as “bitter conflict or rivalry; bitter and sometimes violent conflict, struggle, or rivalry”. What the definition does not explain to us is the extreme negative impact that strife has on our relationship with God. Strife does not come from God. It is a destructive tool that the enemy uses to ignite hatred, unforgiveness, and conflict in families and churches alike.
It is vital for us as Christians to be able to quickly identify strife at work. Secondly, when conflict emerges, we must recognize that it is the enemy at work in a person’s life. Our responses should not be to rally to battle against the offender. In the heat of strife-filled relationships, we must pause, take a deep breath, recognize the enemy at work, maintain peace and control and wage the war in the spiritual realm with prayer.
Most arguments are about over-inflated topics. The Devil is the master of deception and he can cause our imaginations to run wild about a situation to the point of a hatred exchange of verbal hatred. 2 Timothy 2:23 instructs: “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife." This is one of the first God-breathed instructions for eliminating strife. We must avoid confrontation in the first place. All too often a foolish instigator ignites strife. We must learn self-control so that we learn to manage our tongues.
James 1:26 teaches: “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” Did you read that – USELESS – our belief system in God, our desires to see answered prayers – if we don’t learn to bridle our tongue, our pathway with God is blocked. I never want to think that my actions block my prayers. Yes, God always hears our prayers, yet in the presence of strife, unforgiveness and unbridled tongues, our answers may be delayed.
As a very young Christian many years ago, someone hurt me with very cutting words. Everything within me wanted to despise this person and never forgive her. Yet, I had a tiny baby girl who was struggling for her life and I knew I wanted no part of my prayers not being answered. So, only with help from God, I called and forgave that person. Immediate peace and freedom flooded my spirit. And we all know peace and freedom are valuable commodities in this world.
A visual description of strife is presented in Proverbs 17:14. It states: “The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.” Envision a dam with a tiny leak trickling through its walls. Repairs can quickly and easily be made IF the leak is stopped immediately. If the leak is ignored, the water leak erodes and a much larger hole of damage emerges. This Scripture compares such a leak to strife. If we quickly recognize the signs that a quarrel is about to explode, we MUST stop it before it starts.
I cannot imagine how angry the Devil becomes when his attempts to rip apart families or churches are thwarted. And nothing makes me any happier than to really tick off the Devil. Strife is like poison to relationship. May we vow today to go on a mission to lead lives of peace and not strife. Daily pray against strife. We must read what God’s Word says about strife and even write out the Scriptures. When we fully have revelation knowledge of how damaging strife is in our relationships, we will beg to change. May we destroy the poison of strife and lead lives rich in peace beginning today.
Romans 1 contains these words of wisdom about what happens when we don’t retain God’s instruction for our lives: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” What a list of what God will allow our lives to become filled with when we choose to ignore Him. Among this list of very foul attributes, you will note that strife is mixed in with murder. God takes strife seriously. May each of us strive for strife-free lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment