WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MAY 10, 2024
TOPIC: AVOID STRIFE
BY T. O. BANSO
“And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land” (Genesis 13:7 New King James Version).
One of the seven things that are an abomination to the Lord is “one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:19b New King James Version). Discord is another word for strife or conflict. The New American Standard Bible uses the phrase, “one who spreads strife among brothers.” The New International Version says, “a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” God hates causing strife, sowing discord, or stirring up conflicts between or among people.
The Bible says of a worthless or foolish person: “Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually,
he sows discord” (Proverbs 6:14 New King James Version). Such a person hates peaceful co-existence. This is not the Spirit of Christ. Strife is not good and anyone who encourages it is promoting evil. Proverbs 20:3 says, “It is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel” (New King James Version). Any fool can start a strife or quarrel, but he cannot predict the consequences. They often exceed the expectations of such a person and the scope beyond his control. Avoid strife. Don’t let the devil use you to disrupt or disturb an existing peaceful relationship.
In Genesis 13, the Bible says, “And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land” (verse 7 New King James Version). Abram and Lot were relations. Abram took Lot along with him on the journey when he answered the call of God. But the herdsmen of the two of them caused a separation between them because of strife over land, which could not support them as both had great possessions.
To prevent the strife from degenerating into a quarrel between both of them, Abram handled the issue with maturity. He called his nephew, Lot, and told him they should separate. “ So Abram said to Lot, ‘Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left’” (verses 8-9 New King James Version). Abram even gave Lot the first right to choose where he wanted to settle. Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain while Abram settled in the land of Canaan. Abram had no hatred toward Lot. Two times later, he came to his rescue.
The devil will try to use people to cause strife between you and others, especially in relationships that are very important to you. Be sensitive and do not allow him.
Note the following truths about strife from the Bible:
1. Strife is a sin that a child of God should not walk in. Romans 13:13 says, “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy” (New King James Version). Note the word “strife.” Strife is also listed among some sins in Romans 1:28-30. Strife is a sin, and whoever loves sin or transgression loves strife. “He who loves transgression loves strife” (Proverbs 17:19a New King James Version).
2. Hatred causes strife. “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins” (Proverbs 10:12 New King James Version). Walk in love, not hatred. Love others, including your enemies, as Jesus taught.
3. Pride causes strife. “By pride comes nothing but strife” (Proverbs 13:10a New King James Version). Humble yourself. Pride leads to conflict or strife. It destroys relationships.
4. Gossip causes strife, and when it stops, strife ends. “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases” (Proverbs 26:20 New King James Version). Talebearers are gossippers. Proverbs 16:28 says, “A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends” (New King James Version). A perverse man is a gossip. Avoid gossip and don’t allow gossippers to cause strife between you and anyone.
5. Wrath, a quick temper, or a hot temper causes strife. “A wrathful man stirs up strife,
but he who is slow to anger allays contention” (Proverbs 15:18 New King James Version). Proverbs 29:22 says, “An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression” (New King James Version). Don’t be hot or quick-tempered; control your anger. Also, beware of wrathful men. A contentious or quarrelsome person causes strife. “As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife” (Proverbs 26:21 New King James Version).
6. Foolish and ignorant disputes cause strife. 2 Timothy 2:23 says, “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (New King James Version). Also, 1 Timothy 6:4 says arguments cause strife among other things. A sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark led to their separation in ministry (Acts 15:36-40). But Paul, who refused that Mark should go with them on another missionary journey, later asked Timothy to bring Mark with him, for he was useful to him for ministry.
7. Strife among Christians is a mark of carnality. It shows that the Christians engaged in strife are not being controlled by the Holy Spirit but by their sinful nature. Paul said some people preached Christ from envy and strife, and some from goodwill (Philippians 1:15-16).
Strife is a sign of carnality. Paul told the Corinthian Christians, “For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not carnal?” (1 Corinthians 3:3-4 New King James Version).
Avoid strife. God desires that people live in peace with one another. The psalmist speaks of the blessing of brothers living together in harmony: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” (Psalm 133:1-3 New International Version).
This is what those who sow the seed of discord work against. They prefer to see brothers fighting each other and one another rather than living and working together in harmony. However, Romans 12:16 encourages believers to “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (New International Version). In the family, workplace, church, or the larger society, we must work to promote harmony. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19 New International Version).
The Apostle Paul, in the latter part of 2 Corinthians 13:11, says, “Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you” (New Living Translation). The key to living in harmony is love. Colossians 3:14 says, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (New King James Version). Verse 15 adds, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (New King James Version).
Jesus taught His followers to have peace with one another (Mark 9:50). Paul said believers should identify and avoid those who cause strife or division in the church. “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17 New King James Version). The same principle should be applied everywhere. We must not allow their mission to prosper in our families, churches, offices, etc. God hates those who cause strife in the human community. God wants us to live in peace despite our diversities.
There is no benefit in unnecessary quarrels. A Christian should not be a difficult person to live with. He should also be ready to live in peace with all manners of people, including the difficult people who will stretch him and test his resolve to live in peace with others in obedience to the Word of God. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (New King James Version). The New Living Translation renders it thus: “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Do your best to live in peace with all, depending on the Holy Spirit, and leave the rest to God. “ Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14 New King James Version).
Avoid strife; walk in love and forgiveness. Live in peace with everyone.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner, and cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Holy Spirit, help me to avoid strife in my relationship with others. I shall love others and live in peace with them. I come against anything that Satan wants to use to cause strife between me and any other person. I block any way he wants to come through. Satan will not succeed in Jesus’ name.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
