The Bible frequently addresses the topic of strife, viewing it as a destructive force that arises from human sinfulness and selfish desires. Strife is often linked to pride, envy, and anger, and it’s seen as contrary to the teachings of Jesus and the spirit of Christian living. The New Testament, in particular, encourages believers to seek peace and reconciliation, avoid quarrels, and cultivate a spirit of humility and understanding. Strife is depicted as something that disrupts community harmony and hinders spiritual growth. The overarching message is that Christians should strive to live in harmony, valuing peace and unity over conflict and division.
Curious about what the Bible says regarding strife and how to deal with it? It’s a topic with deep implications for personal and community life. Let’s uncover the biblical wisdom on handling strife.
What Does the Bible Say About Strife?
When it comes to dealing with strife, the Bible provides comprehensive guidance that emphasizes peace, reconciliation, and humility. Strife, which can manifest as conflict, discord, or rivalry, is often depicted as a result of sinful attitudes and behaviors.
The scriptures are clear in their condemnation of strife as being antithetical to Christian values. Strife is frequently associated with pride, jealousy, and selfish ambition. In the New Testament, James discusses the origins of quarrels and fights, linking them to desires that battle within individuals. This introspective view suggests that strife often begins in the human heart, a product of uncontrolled desires and ego.
Jesus’ teachings and His life provide a stark contrast to strife. He taught about peacemaking, loving enemies, and turning the other cheek. Jesus’ emphasis on humility, forgiveness, and reconciliation sets a standard for how believers should respond to and prevent strife. The Beatitudes, for instance, bless the peacemakers and those who are meek, indicating that these qualities are esteemed in God’s kingdom.
The apostles also addressed strife in their epistles. They encouraged early Christians to live in harmony, bear with one another, and seek unity in the church. Paul, in particular, wrote about avoiding arguments over disputable matters and instead focusing on building each other up in faith.
Moreover, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit produces fruit in believers’ lives that are counter to strife, such as peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. These fruits enable Christians to handle conflicts and disagreements in a manner that honors God and maintains community unity.
In essence, the Bible’s approach to strife is to avoid it where possible, resolve it through godly wisdom, and live in a way that promotes peace and understanding. It’s about transforming our hearts and minds, aligning our attitudes and actions with the teachings of Christ, and prioritizing the health and unity of our relationships and communities.
Bible Verses About Strife
- Proverbs 17:14: “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” This proverb warns about the dangers of starting strife and encourages nipping potential conflicts in the bud.
- James 3:16: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James links strife to inner attitudes like envy and ambition, suggesting that these are at the root of disorder and conflict.
- Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes places high value on those who actively work to create peace, opposing the nature of strife.
- Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Paul advises believers to do their part in maintaining peace, showing that while not all conflict can be avoided, effort should be made to minimize strife.
- Proverbs 20:3: “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” This proverb highlights that avoiding strife is a matter of wisdom and honor.
- Ephesians 4:31-32: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Paul encourages the shedding of attitudes that lead to strife and adopting a forgiving and compassionate spirit.
- Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Paul’s instruction to the Philippians is an antidote to strife, promoting humility and selflessness.
- Proverbs 15:18: “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” This verse contrasts the strife-causing behavior of a hot-tempered person with the peace-bringing quality of patience.
- Titus 3:9: “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” Titus is advised to steer clear of pointless arguments that only lead to strife.
- 2 Timothy 2:23-24: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” Paul instructs Timothy to avoid unnecessary arguments that lead to strife and to embody kindness and a teachable spirit.
In conclusion, the Bible’s teachings about strife offer valuable guidance for navigating conflicts and maintaining peace in our personal and communal lives. It emphasizes that strife often stems from internal conflicts and uncontrolled desires and highlights the importance of addressing these root causes. The scriptures encourage us to cultivate attitudes of peace, humility, and understanding, aligning our actions with the principles of love and reconciliation taught by Jesus. By applying these biblical principles, we can effectively manage and resolve conflicts, promoting harmony and unity in our relationships and communities. The overarching message is clear: strive for peace, not strife, and in doing so, reflect the grace and wisdom that come from living a life guided by spiritual understanding and godly values.