Christian Pitfalls: Strife
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
Proverbs 10:12 (ESV)
A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
Proverbs 16:28 (ESV)
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
Proverbs 20:3 (ESV)
Strife is conflict, discord, and rivalry. It’s also gossip:
'As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body' (Proverbs 26:21-22).
Once inside, the devil’s tasty trifles cause heartburn, “word-vomit,” and division. Consider Christ’s church (AKA ‘His bride’)– split into countless denominations.
Instead of one castle with many wings, we’re thousands of castles with many kings.
We’ve NOT (yet) met our King’s final request– Who asked in prayer:
'That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me' (John 17:21).
But…
Can the world believe what it’s not (yet) seen?
Of the seven things that the Lord detests, strife is listed last. Does our church discord mark the last of times?
'If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand' (Mark 3:25).
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
AVOID STRIFE. Don't light the match of gossip. If you're standing in a circle of smoke…
Don't fan the foul flame with your agreement.
Neither ignore the flame with your silence.
When you're faced with fire, you have two choices:
Quench it... with 'Rivers of Living Water' (John 7:38), which God gives and allows you to carry. It flows from you in Spirit, truth, and love. It prompts you to 'Seek peace and pursue it' (Psalm 34:14, 1 Peter 3:11). But… dress for success in your fireman's gear.*
Leave. 'Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil' (Proverbs 3:7); 'Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife' (2 Timothy 2:23); 'Note those who cause divisions and offenses... and avoid them' (Romans 16:17).
Because 'Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases' (Proverbs 26:20).
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
I know YOU KNOW better than to gossip. But the devil loves to hand out sparklers. Remember: All that glitters is NOT gold.
Christian Pitfalls: Strife (Part 23)
* The armor of God, including the 'Footgear of Peace': http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:10-18
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.