Summary

Strife is designed to destroy our lives, our relationships, and even the church. When it rises up against us and we do not actively resist it, it shuts us down. We must not fail to stand up to strife, or else the blessings that God has in store for us will be blocked. The Spirit of God brings liberty, but the spirit of strife sows evil and lack of clarity. As long as we continue talking about strife, we give it life; therefore, we must know when and what words to speak, and when to keep silent. Strife provides the perfect opportunity for Satan to operate. We must use our authority to fight the good fight of faith to defeat strife.

1. Strife is present when our spirits do not line up with God’s Spirit.

   1. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work (James 3:16).

      1. Where strife is, confusion will also be. Strife keeps us from knowing for sure what course of action to take, and it prevents sound decision-making.

      2. Envy is the result of refusing to trust God, and it leads to strife.

      3. When we feel envy leading us into strife, we must consider our ways (Haggai 1:5). Instead of grumbling when others are blessed, we can rejoice with them.

      4. A humble person submits to God’s will; a prideful person will not submit.

      5. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).

      6. Carrying our cares indicates we are too proud to submit to His Word.

      7. Strife is vigorous or bitter conflict, competitive jealousy, rivalry, or the state of being in discord or antagonistic toward someone. A tendency to quarrel is based in strife.

      8. Where the Spirit of God is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17), but the spirit of strife brings confusion.

   2. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren (Genesis 13:7, 8).

      1. Strife hinders our progress and puts our lives on hold.

      2. There was an opportunity for strife between Abram and Lot, but Abram knew how deadly it is. Abram diffused the potential for strife, thereby allowing God’s blessing to operate in his life.

   3. Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me (2 Samuel 22:44).

      1. It is entirely possible to be delivered from strife. This is God’s will for us.

   4. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins (Proverbs 10:12).

      1. We can make our own decisions about whether we will allow strife in our lives, or deliberately allow love to cover all sins.

2. Strife is associated with other negative emotions. It needs to be banished.

   1. Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom (Proverbs 13:10).

      1. Pride and contention are linked. Contention is marked by strife, debate, dispute, controversy, or striving in rivalry. There can be no contention without pride.

      2. Pride causes us to insist on doing things our way instead of God’s way.

      3. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12).

   2. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife (Proverbs 15:18).

      1. Strife shows up in people who cannot control their anger.

      2. Anger is an expression of fear, and the result of the failure to deal with it.

      3. The number one fear is that God’s promises will not come to pass in their lives. A true understanding of grace eliminates this fear.

   3. He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction (Proverbs 17:19).

      1. Whoever loves strife is bound to transgress. Strife produces transgression.

   4. Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease (Proverbs 22:10).

      1. We do not have to be in the presence of scorners who try to disgrace us, and we do not have to tolerate negativity.

      2. Jesus refused to tolerate scorners when He brought a dead girl back to life (Matthew 9:23-25; Luke 8:52-54).

   5. An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression (Proverbs 29:22).

      1. We can be angry without being caught up in strife. Be ye angry, and sin not…(Ephesians 4:26).

Scripture References