Satan doesn’t want us, or anyone else, to benefit from hearing the Gospel of Grace. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NKJV). In this spiritual fight against the devil, this is our counterattack. We combat strife by deliberately walking in unity and love. When we're aware that he'll try to cause trouble when things are going good, we're less likely to be blindsided when conflict arises. It seems to crop up whenever believers are making significant achievements together and seriously threatening the enemy’s strongholds. It reared its ugly head when Abraham and Lot were travelling together and experiencing success (Genesis 13:1-9), and when Paul and Barnabas were working together and successfully building the early Christian church (Acts 15:1, 2). “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins” (Proverbs 10:12, NKJV). Its method is to divide and conquer through deliberate and purposeful attacks against God’s all-encompassing love. Its ripple effects can be felt outward throughout the entire organization, and it can turn something healthy, thriving, and productive into something dysfunctional. It can sneak in unnoticed and cause squabbling, arguments, contention, and resentment. This evil spirit aims to destroy from within. The enemy is always against believers working to bring clarity and understanding.
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16). Strife is one of Satan’s favorite weapons that he uses to spread anger and confusion, and we’re vulnerable to it when our spirits don’t line up with God’s Spirit. Whatever its definition, it spreads like wildfire when individuals continue to talk and gossip when they should be silent. Strife can be defined as bickering, discord, antagonism, or quarreling. Strife is a tool of the devil, and we must recognize when it is in operation so that we can stop it in its tracks. This force is called strife and it’s designed to separate people, cause bitter divisions, and destroy everything we attempt to build.
It happens in families, churches, business organizations, and any place where groups of people come together. 59), to which de Wette assents, that the here presupposed controversies between Jewish and Gentile Christians are alluded to, is properly rejected by Brückner.Any time we accomplish something or begin making positive progress, there’s always an opposing force trying to stop us from moving forward. Of a wisdom which effects this, it must naturally hold good what is said of it in Jam 3:15.
To this special idea, which is particularly brought forward on account of the condition of those to whom James writes, the general idea: every evil deed, is added, in order to lay stress on the fact that zeal and partisanship bring along with them the corruption of the whole moral life. With the introductory words: ὅπου γὰρ ζῆλος καὶ ἐριθεία, James points back to Jam 3:14 with the following words: ἐκεῖ κ. Reason of the judgment expressed in Jam 3:15. Where this spirit prevails in a church, it is of course impossible to expect any progress in divine things and in such a church any effort to do good is vain.įlies from the realms of noise and strife."
In place of the peaceful virtues which ought to prevail, there springs up every evil passion that tends to mar the peace of a community. All love and harmony of course are banished all happiness disappears all prosperity is at an end. There is no mutual confidence there is no union of plan and effort there is no co-operation in promoting a common object there is no stability in any plan for a purpose, though for good, formed by one portion, is defeated by another.Īnd every evil work - Of the truth of this no one can have any doubt who has observed the effects in a family or neighborhood where a spirit of strife prevails. Barnes' Notes on the BibleFor where envying and strife is, there is confusion - Margin, tumult or unquietness.
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