Strife alienates friends, divides families, and destroys churches. Someone bent on strife will not allow compromise, negotiation, or humility. Proverbs 13:10 says, “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” When someone refuses to consider another viewpoint and demands his own way, strife results. Strife is always accompanied by pride and an unteachable spirit in one or both parties. Strife can develop when a difference of opinion becomes the priority in a relationship. The cause of strife is underlying sin: “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?” (James 4:1, NLT). But avoiding strife is difficult even in New Testament times, strife cropped up in the early church (1 Corinthians 3:3 1 Timothy 6:4 2 Corinthians 12:20). The Bible warns against strife and reproves those who cause it: “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel” (Proverbs 20:3 see also Proverbs 18:6 and 22:10). When strife occurs among believers, the church’s testimony is tarnished and Christ is dishonored. Strife within families can result in lifelong emotional scars. We see strife today often in the political realm, as candidates for office launch vitriolic attacks against their political foes. Strife usually involves bitterness and sometimes violence. Strife is deeper than argument, broader than disagreement. Strife is a strong and ongoing conflict over a fundamental issue.
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