Flee from Strife
ICS Daily Devotions
Romans 12:16-18,21(Amplifed) Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself. Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.…Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Many of us have been in situations where there is strife among church members, friends, or business partners. We can be easily offended by a remark, feel sidelined when our opinions are not taken into consideration, or when we are picked upon or told off.
Pride is a scary thing. The openings passage tells us not to be haughty because when we think too highly of ourselves, everyone else will seem inferior to us. People are prone to priding themselves on their family or educational backgrounds and thus feel important and entitled, and it causes them to belittle others with words of sarcasm out of a superior attitude.
James 3:16 (NKJV) For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
However, people who engage in strife will invite all kinds of evil, have no joy or peace, and only sleepless nights. They will succumb to carnality, be hot-tempered, known as fools, and separate even close friends. Surely, nobody would want any evil thing to be present in their home, office, or in their lives, but when one is envious, self-centred and insecure, and begins to strife, every form of evil—scheming to take revenge, lying, backbiting, playing company politics, and every intention to cause hurt to others—will surface. These sins will open a hole in the hedge that God has built around us for the devil to attack us, bringing about confusion because we will distort our words.
King Saul was someone who exhibited self-seeking and envy. His insecurity caused him to despise David and attempted to kill him. It shows all kinds of evil things are there when someone is insecure, full of envy and self-seeking. In contrast, David, out of his respect and love for the Lord’s anointed, refused to lay a finger on Saul or take vengeance into his own hands despite numerous opportunities. David even went the extra mile to kill the messenger who claimed to have killed King Saul and restored to Mephiboseth everything that belonged to King Saul when he was King of Israel. He selfishly showed forth sincere love for his covenant partner Jonathan’s sake.
Like David, we need to be the wise person who flees from strife, pursue peace and be a peacemaker. However, we won’t be able to live peaceably with everyone unless we choose to yield to the Holy Spirit. We must abide in God and allow the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus to reign in and through us.
Sermon Series: You Can Do It
