Enmity, strife, and divisions are discouraging and even devastating when conditioning relationships between family members, friends, Christians, and churches. I wonder what the causes are. The letter written by James in Chapter 4 informs us that the causes of war and strife are the unsatisfied selfish desires we have. He even explains that seeking only to fulfill one's own desires, ambitions, or agendas reveals we are not living in humility in relationship to our Heavenly Father.
Paul in Galatians 5:19 explains our attempts to justify ourselves or advance ourselves will always produce "fruits of the flesh," among which are counted enmity, strife, and divisions. Knowing these are the product of a life dependent on own efforts to fulfill God's will or advance oneself or one's agenda or unrepentent sin should challenge us when we find we are experiencing these "fruits of the flesh."
Perhaps we should look to see if we are truly humble before the Lord. Do we truly recognize how poor in spirit we are? Do we truly know the work of the Holy Spirit? The major questions we must ask are, are we truly alive in the Spirit and do we seek to keep in step with the Spirit, or are we doing our own self-exalting, controlling thing? James tells us God has a better life for us and then challenges us to humble ourselves unto Him. (James 4:1-11)
These things are a matter of daily prayer. Let us abide with a humble attitude, seeking to keep in step with the Holy Spirit of God.
Paul in Galatians 5:19 explains our attempts to justify ourselves or advance ourselves will always produce "fruits of the flesh," among which are counted enmity, strife, and divisions. Knowing these are the product of a life dependent on own efforts to fulfill God's will or advance oneself or one's agenda or unrepentent sin should challenge us when we find we are experiencing these "fruits of the flesh."
Perhaps we should look to see if we are truly humble before the Lord. Do we truly recognize how poor in spirit we are? Do we truly know the work of the Holy Spirit? The major questions we must ask are, are we truly alive in the Spirit and do we seek to keep in step with the Spirit, or are we doing our own self-exalting, controlling thing? James tells us God has a better life for us and then challenges us to humble ourselves unto Him. (James 4:1-11)
These things are a matter of daily prayer. Let us abide with a humble attitude, seeking to keep in step with the Holy Spirit of God.
