Avoid strife

The apostle Paul writes: ‘Make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.’ (Philippians 2:2-4 CSB). Strife wreaks havoc in relationships. It often stems from an inflated ego and leads to comparing, competing, and condemning. James points that out: ‘For where envying and strife is, there is … every evil work.’ (James 3:16 KJV) So be a strife-spotter! The moment it rears its ugly head – uproot it!

‘Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many’ (Hebrews 12:15 NLT). If you want to walk in God’s blessing today, try to live in harmony with others. Is that always easy? No, but the sooner you learn to do it, the better things will go for you. When God prompts you to turn the other cheek, or do the thing no one else wants to do, draw on His grace and do it.

Pray: ‘Lord, give me Your wisdom in this situation.’ He will. ‘But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.’ (James 3:17-18 NASB20). Bottom line: if you want God’s blessing on your life – avoid strife.