When we allow strife to dictate our choices, we fall short of the mandate Jesus gave us. While the essentials of the gospel cannot be compromised, we can become so dogmatic about nonessential doctrines that we forget that obedience and love are the marks of a mature believer. Fulfillment of that command is Satan’s biggest fear, so he keeps us tangled in our own petty disagreements, disappointments, and disputes so that we limit our impact on the lost world. Jesus left us with one clear objective-make disciples of every nation (Matthew 28:19). Strife distracts us from our ultimate purpose of making disciples. With Christian maturity comes a cessation of strife and contention among believers.Ħ. “For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” (1 Corinthians 3:3, ESV). “You are still of the flesh,” Paul told one church. Strife is a sign of worldliness and carnality. Too often the behavior of established church members drives away those just starting on their journey with Christ.ĥ. They (rightly) expected better when they came to Christ. But when we who should know better fill our churches and study groups with divisions, strife, gossip, and conflict, younger Christians are easily wounded. We cannot expect new Christians to behave like those who have walked with God for years. We set up the rest of God’s truth as a target of mockery when we as Christians refuse to honor His commands about strife.Ĥ.
When we display our petty strivings before the world, we show ourselves to be hypocrites. The purpose of our harmony and love for each other is so that the lost world sees the difference Christ makes. Jesus instructed His disciples to love each other as He has loved them so that the world will know that they belong to Him (John 13:35). When we allow ourselves to become embroiled in strife, we have said “No” to love.ģ. Love will not tolerate strife, and strife cannot exist where love rules. Being “right,” declaring our version of “truth,” or doing dozens of good, sacrificial deeds counts for nothing without love. First Corinthians 13:1–3 reminds us that nothing we do as Christians is as vital to our faith as love. Anything that shatters that unity is an enemy of the church and an enemy of God.Ģ. Unity based on the truth of God is so important to Jesus that, in His longest recorded prayer, He asked the Father that His followers would “be one as you and I are one” (John 17:22). God hates strife in His church for several reasons:ġ. Such strife always leads to trouble and requires the wisdom of godly peacemakers to assuage. Strife among the Israelites led to Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16) and to the Israelites’ wish to die in the wilderness (Numbers 20). Isaac faced strife from the residents of Gerar over drinking water (Genesis 26). The herdsmen of Abram and Lot strove with each other (Genesis 13). Strife alienates friends, divides families, and destroys churches.
Someone bent on strife will not allow compromise, negotiation, or humility. Proverbs 13:10 says, “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” When someone refuses to consider another viewpoint and demands his own way, strife results. Strife is always accompanied by pride and an unteachable spirit in one or both parties. Strife can develop when a difference of opinion becomes the priority in a relationship. The cause of strife is underlying sin: “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?” (James 4:1, NLT). But avoiding strife is difficult even in New Testament times, strife cropped up in the early church (1 Corinthians 3:3 1 Timothy 6:4 2 Corinthians 12:20). The Bible warns against strife and reproves those who cause it: “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel” (Proverbs 20:3 see also Proverbs 18:6 and 22:10). When strife occurs among believers, the church’s testimony is tarnished and Christ is dishonored. Strife within families can result in lifelong emotional scars.
We see strife today often in the political realm, as candidates for office launch vitriolic attacks against their political foes. Strife usually involves bitterness and sometimes violence. Strife is deeper than argument, broader than disagreement. Strife is a strong and ongoing conflict over a fundamental issue.
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