PIDGIN: STRIFE-FREE ZONE

STRIFE-FREE ZONE Proverbs 13:10 Strife is the lack of agreement or harmony, and the inability to get on with others, characterized by continuous struggle and battle between parties. Strife is a destroyer, an argument broader than disagreement and usually involves bitterness and sometimes violence. Strife as a destroyer destroys everything and everyone that associates with it. It is one of Satan’s weapons of mass destruction. Strife usually occurs over issues that stem from pride, and since neither man nor nation will ever be content to be less than the other and to acquire the wished-for superiority that confuses, both in public and private lives, chaos ensues. Anger and arrogance cause quarrels or strife according to Proverb 29:22. Spouses, and business partners quarrel and part ways, relationships break because of strife and even churches divide and go their separate ways. Amos asks if two people can walk together if they don’t agree, then Jesus takes it further in Matthew 18:19, saying that not only do we need to agree but that our agreement yields heavenly results. If two of us shall agree or harmonize, that is play the same tune, we have a better chance of succeeding at whatever we’re doing than if we do it alone. We must be determined not to be where strife is, we are to be makers and maintainers of peace according to 2 Timothy 2:22-24, while Romans 12:18 and Hebrews 12:14 commands us to chase after, pursue, catch, and maintain peace as possible as we can always. Strife can develop when there’s a difference of opinion. Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. When someone refuses to consider another’s viewpoint and demands their way, strife results. Someone bent on strife will not allow compromise, negotiation, or humility. Strife alienates friends, divides families, and destroys churches. Strife is very dangerous, as believers, we should never be part of it nor be found in the middle of strife. We must not get into confrontational issues that will not encourage peace. We can see how destructive strife is with Abram and Lot and their herdsmen in Genesis 13. Isaac faced strife from the residents of Gerar over drinking water and the wells in Genesis 26. Strife among the Israelites led to Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16 and to the Israelites’ wish to die in the wilderness in Numbers 20. Such strife always leads to trouble and requires the wisdom of godly peacemakers to assuage. Unity is the exclusion of strife and according to Psalm 133, it is a good and pleasant thing and it’s also the place where God commands His blessing on believers. Strife confuses the world around us. Jesus instructs us to love each other as He has loved them so that the world will know that they belong to Him in John 13:35, but strife can stop the watching world from seeing Christ in us. When we display our petty strivings before the world, we show ourselves to be hypocrites and set up the rest of God’s truth as a target of mockery. One of the six things that God hates according to Proverbs 6:16-19 is strife, so maintain a strife-free zone by pursuing peace with all men. PRAYER: Prince of peace, help me to pursue peace with all men wherever it’s possible in Jesus’ name. Amen. Shalom Apostle Blessing Women of light international prayer ministries