Galatians 5:26
King James Version
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,
provoking one another,
envying one another.
What is the state of the world today?
What is the state of governments today?
What is the state of personal relationships today?
Is there peace, love, joy, harmony?
Or, is it chaotic, confusing, and cruel?
Surely, we know the answer to that.
What causes strife?
FIRST, what is "strife"?
Merriam-Webster defines it as:
: bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension
: an act of contention : FIGHT, STRUGGLE
: exertion or contention for superiority
SECONDLY, what does the Bible say about "strife"?
You will find these illuminating:
Proverbs 10:12
King James Version
12 Hatred stirreth up strifes:
but love covereth all sins.
Proverbs 16:28
King James Version
28 A froward man soweth strife:
and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Proverbs 17:14
King James Version
14 The beginning of strife
is as when one letteth out water:
therefore leave off contention,
before it be meddled with.
Proverbs 20:3
King James Version
3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife:
but every fool will be meddling.
Proverbs 22:10
King James Version
10 Cast out the scorner,
and contention shall go out;
yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
Proverbs 26:20
King James Version
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:
so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Proverbs 26:21
King James Version
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire;
so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Proverbs 28:25
King James Version
25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife:
but he that putteth his trust in the Lord
shall be made fat.
Proverbs 29:22
King James Version
22 An angry man stirreth up strife,
and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Galatians 5:19-21
King James Version
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,
which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings, and such like:
of the which I tell you before,
as I have also told you in time past,
that they which do such things shall not inherit
the kingdom of God.
1 Timothy 6:4
King James Version
4 He is proud, knowing nothing,
but doting about questions and strifes of words,
whereof cometh envy, strife,
railings, evil surmisings,
1 Timothy 6:5
King James Version
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds,
and destitute of the truth,
supposing that gain is godliness:
from such withdraw thyself.
2 Timothy 2:23
King James Version
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid,
knowing that they do gender strifes.
James 3:14-16
King James Version
14 But if ye have bitter envying
and strife in your hearts, glory not,
and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above,
but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is,
there is confusion and every evil work.
James 4:1-3
King James Version
4 From whence come wars and fightings among you?
come they not hence, even of your lusts
that war in your members?
2 Ye lust, and have not:
ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain:
ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss,
that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
In SUMMARY, "strife" can be attributed to:
hatred
A froward man
the fool
the scorner
the talebearer
the contentious man
He that is of a proud heart
An angry man
a furious man
works of the flesh
the proud
men of corrupt minds
foolish and unlearned questions
bitter envying
earthly, sensual, devilish works
lusts that war in your members
The seriousness of strife?
Here is GOD's stand:
Proverbs 6:16-19
King James Version
16 These six things doth the Lord hate:
yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look,
a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies,
and he that soweth discord among brethren.
When shall we change our ways?
Have we not learned from our wars?
Have we not learned from Scripture?
Jeremiah 8:9
King James Version
9 The wise men are ashamed,
they are dismayed and taken:
lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord;
and what wisdom is in them?
It takes a born again, to know better.
We always turn to JESUS.
In Him is our peace.
He is PRINCE of PEACE.
Isaiah 9:6
King James Version
6 For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.
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