What Causes Fight and Division?
What Causes Fight and Division?
By Pastor Alexander Redd
info@gracioushipefellowship.com
June 8, 2023
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight."
(James 4:1-2)
The Bible teaches that human beings are inherently flawed and prone to sin, which can lead to conflicts and strife between individuals and groups. One of the most fundamental causes of this is the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve's disobedience brought sin and death into the world. In addition, the Bible frequently warns against the destructive power of pride, selfishness, and jealousy, which can lead to disagreements and disputes.
For example, James 4:1-2 says, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight."
There are many reasons why people fight and create division, both in biblical times and today's world. Here are a few examples:
1. Differences in beliefs: Throughout history, people have fought and created division over differences in religious beliefs. The Bible contains many instances, such as the conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines in the Old Testament. Today, conflicts between religious groups continue to be a major source of division and conflict worldwide.
2. Political disagreements: People have also fought and created division over political differences. In the Bible, there are examples of conflicts between different groups over political power, such as the struggle between the Israelites and the Babylonians. Modern political differences have led to many conflicts and wars, such as the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union and the geo-political war between Russian and Ukraine.
3. Economic inequality: Economic inequality has also been a source of division and conflict throughout history. In the Bible, many examples of disputes over resources and wealth, such as the struggle between Jacob and Esau over their father's inheritance. In modern times, economic inequality has led to many conflicts and protests, such as the Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East, North Africa, and Liberia, West Africa.
4. Ethnic and cultural differences: People have also fought and created division over differences in ethnicity and culture. In the Bible, there are examples of conflicts between different ethnic groups, such as the Israelites and the Canaanites. In modern times, ethnic and cultural differences have been a major source of conflict in many parts of the world, such as the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups in Rwanda.
5. Power and control: Finally, people have fought and created division over issues of power and control. In the Bible, there are many examples of conflicts over leadership and authority, such as the struggle between Saul and David for the throne of Israel. In modern times, power struggles have led to many conflicts and wars, such as the ongoing conflict in Syria. Overall, there are many reasons why people fight and create division, which often intersects and reinforce one another. By understanding these underlying causes, we can work to address and prevent conflicts and build a more peaceful world.
But the Bible offers many principles and values that can help us address and prevent conflicts and divisions in our daily lives. Here are a few examples:
1. Love and Forgiveness: The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to forgive those who have wronged us. The Bible also highlights the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in resolving conflicts and restoring relationships. Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:15, "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." By practicing love and forgiveness, we can build bridges and heal relationships rather than letting conflicts and divisions fester.
2. Humility and Empathy: The Bible also teaches us to be humble and to consider the needs and perspectives of others. In Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul urges believers to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." However, even with these teachings, conflicts will still arise because of the sinful nature of humanity.
In Romans 3:23, it is written, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And in 1 John 1:8 says, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." By practicing empathy and seeking to understand the views of those with whom we disagree, we can find common ground and work towards a resolution.
3. Justice and Equity: The Bible teaches us to seek justice and treat everyone fairly and equally. We can address the underlying causes of conflicts and divisions by working towards a more just and equitable society. 4. Peacemaking: The Bible also encourages us to be peacemakers and to work towards reconciliation and healing. By actively seeking to resolve conflicts and build bridges between different groups, we can help to prevent future conflicts and divisions.
Moreover, we can examine our thoughts and attitudes toward others to apply these principles and values daily. We can ask ourselves questions like:
- Am I quick to judge and condemn others who disagree with me?
- Do I actively seek to understand the perspectives of those with whom I'm afraid I have to disagree?
- Am I willing to forgive those who have wronged me? - Do I work towards justice and equity in my interactions with others?
- Am I a peacemaker in my relationships and interactions with others?
By reflecting on these questions and striving to live out these biblical principles and values in our interactions with others, we can contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious world. And in Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul urges believers to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." However, even with these teachings, conflicts will still arise because of the sinful nature of humanity. In Romans 3:23, it is written, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And in 1 John 1:8 says, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
Finally, the Bible teaches that only through faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can individuals overcome their sinful nature and live in peace and harmony with one another. As it is written in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."
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By Pastor Alexander Redd
info@gracioushipefellowship.com
June 8, 2023
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight."
(James 4:1-2)
The Bible teaches that human beings are inherently flawed and prone to sin, which can lead to conflicts and strife between individuals and groups. One of the most fundamental causes of this is the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve's disobedience brought sin and death into the world. In addition, the Bible frequently warns against the destructive power of pride, selfishness, and jealousy, which can lead to disagreements and disputes.
For example, James 4:1-2 says, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight."
There are many reasons why people fight and create division, both in biblical times and today's world. Here are a few examples:
1. Differences in beliefs: Throughout history, people have fought and created division over differences in religious beliefs. The Bible contains many instances, such as the conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines in the Old Testament. Today, conflicts between religious groups continue to be a major source of division and conflict worldwide.
2. Political disagreements: People have also fought and created division over political differences. In the Bible, there are examples of conflicts between different groups over political power, such as the struggle between the Israelites and the Babylonians. Modern political differences have led to many conflicts and wars, such as the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union and the geo-political war between Russian and Ukraine.
3. Economic inequality: Economic inequality has also been a source of division and conflict throughout history. In the Bible, many examples of disputes over resources and wealth, such as the struggle between Jacob and Esau over their father's inheritance. In modern times, economic inequality has led to many conflicts and protests, such as the Arab Spring uprisings in the Middle East, North Africa, and Liberia, West Africa.
4. Ethnic and cultural differences: People have also fought and created division over differences in ethnicity and culture. In the Bible, there are examples of conflicts between different ethnic groups, such as the Israelites and the Canaanites. In modern times, ethnic and cultural differences have been a major source of conflict in many parts of the world, such as the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups in Rwanda.
5. Power and control: Finally, people have fought and created division over issues of power and control. In the Bible, there are many examples of conflicts over leadership and authority, such as the struggle between Saul and David for the throne of Israel. In modern times, power struggles have led to many conflicts and wars, such as the ongoing conflict in Syria. Overall, there are many reasons why people fight and create division, which often intersects and reinforce one another. By understanding these underlying causes, we can work to address and prevent conflicts and build a more peaceful world.
But the Bible offers many principles and values that can help us address and prevent conflicts and divisions in our daily lives. Here are a few examples:
1. Love and Forgiveness: The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to forgive those who have wronged us. The Bible also highlights the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in resolving conflicts and restoring relationships. Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:15, "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." By practicing love and forgiveness, we can build bridges and heal relationships rather than letting conflicts and divisions fester.
2. Humility and Empathy: The Bible also teaches us to be humble and to consider the needs and perspectives of others. In Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul urges believers to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." However, even with these teachings, conflicts will still arise because of the sinful nature of humanity.
In Romans 3:23, it is written, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And in 1 John 1:8 says, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." By practicing empathy and seeking to understand the views of those with whom we disagree, we can find common ground and work towards a resolution.
3. Justice and Equity: The Bible teaches us to seek justice and treat everyone fairly and equally. We can address the underlying causes of conflicts and divisions by working towards a more just and equitable society. 4. Peacemaking: The Bible also encourages us to be peacemakers and to work towards reconciliation and healing. By actively seeking to resolve conflicts and build bridges between different groups, we can help to prevent future conflicts and divisions.
Moreover, we can examine our thoughts and attitudes toward others to apply these principles and values daily. We can ask ourselves questions like:
- Am I quick to judge and condemn others who disagree with me?
- Do I actively seek to understand the perspectives of those with whom I'm afraid I have to disagree?
- Am I willing to forgive those who have wronged me? - Do I work towards justice and equity in my interactions with others?
- Am I a peacemaker in my relationships and interactions with others?
By reflecting on these questions and striving to live out these biblical principles and values in our interactions with others, we can contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious world. And in Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul urges believers to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." However, even with these teachings, conflicts will still arise because of the sinful nature of humanity. In Romans 3:23, it is written, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And in 1 John 1:8 says, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
Finally, the Bible teaches that only through faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can individuals overcome their sinful nature and live in peace and harmony with one another. As it is written in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."
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