Fists Down, Please
Today's Verse:
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. ~Proverbs 20:3
According to Wikipedia, there is a minimum of 20 major wars that are ongoing in our world. Some of these conflicts go back many years. Strife and conflicts on any level can have devastating impact on more than just the direct parties. The spillover leaves much collateral damage to so many other lives. This morning is an exhortation for those who have conflicts of any kind to put down their fists.
There are the carnal reasons.
Contention and strife are a direct result of bitter envying, wrath, and unresolved disagreement. Galatians 5:20-21 makes it very clear that strife is a work of the flesh. Wherever there is envy towards another person, there will always be strife. We read in Genesis 13:7 that there was bitter strife between the herdsmen of Lot and Abram over land. We read where Saul had an envious spirit towards David and held a javelin in his hand to throw at him whenever he saw him. "Hatred stirreth up strifes" (Provervs 10:12). "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends" (Proverbs 16:28). "An angry man stirreth up strife" (Proverbs 29:22). One of the key underlying reasons for strife is the pride in one’s heart to be contentious (Proverbs 28:25). There was strife among the apostles as to which of them should be accounted the greatest (Luke 22:24).
There is the calamitous ruin.
Strife never amounts to any good. Strife leads to hurt feelings, animosity, bitter words, division, and constant feuding. "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work" (James 3:16). Strife in a marriage results in angry words and constant disagreement. Strife in a church leads to divisions and a bad testimony. It reflects a carnal spiritual life. Strife leads to gossip, tale bearing, and vengeance seeking. Strife results in wasted energy, time, and unneeded stress. Strife is an unconfessed sin that hinders the spiritual walk of a believer. "He that loveth transgression loveth strife" (Proverbs 17:19).
There is the curative remedy.
The main remedy against strife is to put down your fists. "It is an honour for a man to cease from strife" (Proverbs 20:3). Just stop it! "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth" (Proverbs 26:20). There must be a cessation of living in denial concerning strife and contention. "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth" (James 3:14). There is no glory in strife and contention. There is no place for a spirit that needs to prove that we are right: glory not. Instead of trying to prove you are right or better, live with the mind of Christ. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3).
There is a crowning reward.
Solomon said that it is an honor for a man to cease from strife. The man who ceases from strife is the man who takes the high road in life. He is blessed because he is a peacemaker. In fact, peacemakers shall be called the children of God. It takes character to cease from strife. It is a man of great spiritual fortitude who is able to shut his mouth, surrender his angry spirit, and discontinue from strife. Great is the spirituality of the man who can walk away from strife regardless of the hurt and injury that it causes him.
Do you need to put down your fists? Are you someone who always has to prove you are right? Are the contentions you are dealing with a result of a proud and envious heart that needs cleansing? Put down your fists, and be at peace with others and with yourself.
Have a peaceful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 38-41
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