Present:
Pastor Sophie Tonye James
LIVING WITHOUT STRIFE
(Is Possible)
As believers in Christ JESUS, we have spiritual weapons at our disposal, some of which are the Word, Praise, Prayer etc. The devil also has his own weapons; one of which is discouragement but one of his main weapons is 'strife' and the devil attacks believers with it because strife is earthly, sensual, devilish and breeds confusion, disorder and every evil work - James 3:15 -16.
Strife robs people of joy leaving them feeling angry, confused and disorganised. When you are confused, you don't see clearly to make the 'right' decision and do the 'right' thing. That's why the WORD says, "The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God - James 1:20.
Here is wisdom: Proverbs 17:14 says, "The beginning of strife is like letting out water from a dam (or tank); first it trickles and then it gushes. Therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode." This means when you avoid the quarrel, strife will automatically cease.
In order to avoid strife, Abram said to Lot, "Let us not have quarrel (or argument) between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers" (Genesis 13:8).
In James 3:5-8, we see that the tongue is a little member but it is also a fire, which is able to set ablaze a great forest. Sometimes in life, what causes crisis in a society or a family is just a word or a statement. No one can tame the tongue without the help of the Holy Spirit.
The following are the major ways through which believers become open to the spirit of strife.
(a) The Tongue: Proverbs 21:23 says, "Whoever guards (or keeps) his mouth and tongue, keeps his soul from troubles." When people speak wrong words at the wrong time, it generates a quarrel. But Proverbs 25:15 says, "A gentle tongue breaks a bone." Which means, no matter how difficult or stubborn an individual is, gentle words will breakthrough to them and calm them.
(b) Pride: According to Proverbs 16:18, Pride goes before destruction. And a haughty spirit (an arrogant attitude) goes before a fall. Strife is also caused by being too proud to admit one's fault or one's ignorance about an issue. This normally starts an argument that degenerates into a quarrel.
(c) Personal Opinion: Strife can be easily generated by forcing your own opinion down the throat of others or when you try to make a point or win an argument by all means; even if it bruises the ego of your opponent. So you end up winning the argument but disorganise the relationship. We should determine to honour JESUS and other people by avoiding strife. Make a decision to live without strife. In order to continue to enjoy the gift of relationship, ask the Holy Spirit to help you guard against strife, by taking control of your words, suggestions or opinions and even your temperament so you can live a strife-free life.
S.T. James
# BecauseOfJESUS
# Womeninthegap
#Inspirational Gospel Quote
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you Jesus.