[b]CONTENTION, STRIFE, ACCUSING[/b] FAITH: MUCH FAITH—MUCH LOVE, MUCH UNDERSTANDING AND LITTLE CONTENTION, LITTLE STRIFE, LITTLE ACCUSINGS. LITTLE FAITH—LITTLE LOVE, LITTLE UNDERSTANDING, AND MUCH CONTENTION, MUCH STRIFE, MUCH ACCUSINGS. 1 Cor 3:1, 2–AND I, BRETHREN, COULD NOT SPEAK UNTO YOU AS UNTO SPIRITUAL, BUT AS UNTO CARNAL (or worldly), EVEN AS UNTO BABES IN CHRIST. I HAVE FED YOU WITH MILK (the basics of God’s Word), AND NOT WITH MEAT (which is perfection): FOR HITHERTO YE WERE NOT ABLE TO BEAR IT, NEITHER YET NOW ARE YE ABLE. When a person causes contention or strife with another, it is evidence that they are prideful and self–centered. They are not spiritually–minded, as God would have them be. They are not conformed to the image of Christ. They have not repented, as they ought to have done. 1 Cor 3:3–FOR YE ARE YET CARNAL: FOR WHEREAS THERE IS AMONG YOU ENVYING, AND STRIFE, AND DIVISIONS (or contentions), ARE YE NOT CARNAL (or worldly), AND WALK AS MEN? This is a battle. It is Humility vs. Pride. Pv 13:10–ONLY BY PRIDE COMETH CONTENTION. Ja 4:6–7–Wherefore he saith, GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, BUT GIVETH GRACE UNTO THE HUMBLE. SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD. RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. CONTENTION comes from pride, but God resists the proud. Accusing Quarrelings Pride, CONTENTION, STRIFE, accusing—all are the fruits of the devil. Love and longsuffering are fruits of the Holy Spirit. Pride comes, contentions follow, and emotions become involved. Such a person does not recognize Satan’s voice stirring them up. A person that is contentious or causes STRIFE is self–centered, not Christ–centered. They have a high tolerance for sin. Holiness and perfection are not even in their thoughts. But they can repent and grow. They are finger pointers. They often have thoughts from the devil that cause them to ask trick questions of their fellow Christians, and then according to how their fellow Christian answers, they began to cause contention with them and strive about words or ideas. And if the person does not answer their trick question, then they strive about this and become contentious. Such people cause divisions, strifes, contentions and stir up anger. They are not at peace within themselves, so they stir up things. The voice they hear is the devil; but they do not recognize the stranger’s voice, because their heart agrees with the devil’s voice more then with God’s Word. They may read and read God’s Word, but until they allow God’s Word to change them by obeying the truth, their heart cannot be purified; thus, no inner change takes place. Does this fit you? Often when a person hears God’s Word, they think to themselves, “This message is for so and so,” and cannot recognize it is for them. As has been said, those that need correction the most, receive it the least; and those that receive it the least, need it most. ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING Would Jesus do what I am doing? Am I more judgmental of people than God? Am I causing CONTENTION with people, over things I don’t like, and, by doing so, am I going against God, also? After all, the Scriptures teach that what I do to a born again Christian actually falls on God, because that person belongs to God through the Blood. And would I dare accuse an elder, who is over me by God’s authority? And if an elder does something I think is wrong according to the Bible, what should I do? Should I contend with that person and condemned myself by God’s Word, or should I take another witness with me and bring it before the pastor that is over that elder and let the pastor decide if that elder has sinned according to God’s Word? When I accuse someone or when I become contentious, I should ask myself, “Is this Jesus and God’s Word guiding me, or is it my own evil heart prompted by Satan telling me what to do in my thoughts?” So pride exalts its ugly head, because I want my own way. I disagree with someone about something, so I contend with them. I accuse them. I want them to change their mind, because I want my own way. I don’t like what they said or did, so I want revenge. I want to give them a piece of my mind. And if I have to raise my voice to do so, I will do it. There is no way I want to take this matter to the person that is over the one I am contending with, because he might disagree with me. And if I contend with someone, I could care less who hears it. After all, I am right, and they are wrong. But woe, am I being an example of Christ when I contend? Am I showing love when I contend? Am I bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit when I contend? Am I setting a Christ–like example when I strive or contend with others, or could I actually be hurting those that are baby Christians, when I act like the devil? Will a person’s excuses be accepted at the Judgment, for the times they contend or cause STRIFE? Absolutely, not. Pv 17:14–THE BEGINNING OF STRIFE IS AS WHEN ONE LETTETH OUT WATER: THEREFORE LEAVE OFF CONTENTION, BEFORE IT BE MEDDLED WITH. Pv 18:6, 7–A FOOL’S LIPS ENTER INTO CONTENTION, AND HIS MOUTH CALLETH FOR STROKES. A FOOL’S MOUTH IS HIS DESTRUCTION, AND HIS LIPS ARE THE SNARE OF HIS SOUL. Pv 22:10–CAST OUT THE SCORNER, AND CONTENTION SHALL GO OUT; YEA, STRIFE AND REPROACH SHALL CEASE. 1 Thes 2:2–BUT EVEN AFTER THAT WE HAD SUFFERED BEFORE, AND WERE SHAMEFULLY ENTREATED, AS YE KNOW, AT PHILIPPI, WE WERE BOLD IN OUR GOD TO SPEAK UNTO YOU THE GOSPEL OF GOD WITH MUCH CONTENTION. Gen 13:8–AND ABRAM SAID UNTO LOT, LET THERE BE NO STRIFE, I PRAY THEE, BETWEEN ME AND THEE. Num 27:14–FOR YE REBELLED AGAINST MY COMMANDMENT IN THE DESERT OF ZIN, IN THE STRIFE OF THE CONGREGATION, TO SANCTIFY ME AT THE WATER BEFORE THEIR EYES: THAT IS THE WATER OF MERIBAH IN KADESH IN THE WILDERNESS OF ZIN. Ps 31:20–THOU SHALT HIDE THEM IN THE SECRET OF THY PRESENCE FROM THE PRIDE OF MAN: THOU SHALT KEEP THEM SECRETLY IN A PAVILION FROM THE STRIFE OF TONGUES. Ps 55:9–DESTROY, O LORD, AND DIVIDE THEIR TONGUES: FOR I HAVE SEEN VIOLENCE AND STRIFE IN THE CITY. Pv 15:18–A WRATHFUL MAN STIRRETH UP STRIFE: BUT HE THAT IS SLOW TO ANGER APPEASETH STRIFE. Pv 16:28–A PERVERSE MAN STIRS UP DISSENSION, AND A GOSSIP SEPARATES CLOSE FRIENDS (NIV). Pv 16:28–A FROWARD MAN SOWETH STRIFE: AND A WHISPERER SEPARATETH CHIEF FRIENDS. Pv 17:1–BETTER IS A DRY MORSEL, AND QUIETNESS THEREWITH, THAN AN HOUSE FULL OF SACRIFICES WITH STRIFE. Pv 17:19–HE LOVETH TRANSGRESSION THAT LOVETH STRIFE: AND HE THAT EXALTETH HIS GATE SEEKETH DESTRUCTION. Pv 20:3–IT IS AN HONOUR FOR A MAN TO CEASE FROM STRIFE: BUT EVERY FOOL WILL BE MEDDLING. Pv 26:17–HE THAT PASSETH BY, AND MEDDLETH WITH STRIFE BELONGING NOT TO HIM, IS LIKE ONE THAT TAKETH A DOG BY THE EARS. Pv 26:21–AS COALS ARE TO BURNING COALS, AND WOOD TO FIRE; SO IS A CONTENTIOUS MAN TO KINDLE STRIFE. Pv 28:25–HE THAT IS OF A PROUD HEART STIRRETH UP STRIFE: BUT HE THAT PUTTETH HIS TRUST IN THE LORD SHALL BE MADE FAT. Pv 29:22–AN ANGRY MAN STIRRETH UP STRIFE, AND A FURIOUS MAN ABOUNDETH IN TRANSGRESSION. Pv 30:33–FOR AS CHURNING THE MILK PRODUCES BUTTER, AND AS TWISTING THE NOSE PRODUCES BLOOD, SO STIRRING UP ANGER PRODUCES STRIFE (NIV). Regarding anger, consider it is usually set on self–centeredness and disapproval with the way God is doing things. It is often set on “I” want my way to be done, not “Thy” way be done. You want something, but God says no. You don’t want to do something, but God wants you to do it. We are to deny ourself and follow God. When you say a sinner’s prayer, do you not promise you will follow Jesus? Regretfully, most really want to follow their own personal desires. Thus there is a conflict, and conflict can result in some getting angry with God—God forbid. Hab 1:3–WHY DOST THOU SHEW ME INIQUITY, AND CAUSE ME TO BEHOLD GRIEVANCE? FOR SPOILING AND VIOLENCE ARE BEFORE ME: AND THERE ARE THAT RAISE UP STRIFE AND CONTENTION. Hab 1:3–WHY DO YOU MAKE ME LOOK AT INJUSTICE? WHY DO YOU TOLERATE WRONG? DESTRUCTION AND VIOLENCE ARE BEFORE ME; THERE IS STRIFE, AND CONFLICT ABOUNDS (NIV). Ro 13:13–LET US WALK HONESTLY, AS IN THE DAY; NOT IN RIOTING AND DRUNKENNESS, NOT IN CHAMBERING AND WANTONNESS, NOT IN STRIFE AND ENVYING. Phili 2:3–LET NOTHING BE DONE THROUGH STRIFE OR VAINGLORY; BUT IN LOWLINESS OF MIND LET EACH ESTEEM OTHER BETTER THAN THEMSELVES. 1 Tim 6:4, 5–HE IS PROUD, KNOWING NOTHING, BUT DOTING ABOUT QUESTIONS AND STRIFES OF WORDS, WHEREOF COMETH ENVY, STRIFE, RAILINGS, EVIL SURMISINGS, 5 PERVERSE DISPUTINGS OF MEN OF CORRUPT MINDS, AND DESTITUTE OF THE TRUTH, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF. Ja 3:14–BUT IF YE HAVE BITTER ENVYING AND STRIFE IN YOUR HEARTS, GLORY NOT, AND LIE NOT AGAINST THE TRUTH. Ja 3:16–FOR WHERE ENVYING AND STRIFE IS, THERE IS CONFUSION AND EVERY EVIL WORK. People that strive and are contentious have need of repentance. They need to humble themselves. For it is written: Obad 1:3–THE PRIDE OF THINE HEART HATH DECEIVED THEE. Mk 7:21–23–FOR FROM WITHIN, OUT OF THE HEART OF MEN, PROCEED EVIL THOUGHTS,…DECEIT,…AN EVIL EYE,…PRIDE, FOOLISHNESS: ALL THESE EVIL THINGS COME FROM WITHIN, AND DEFILE THE MAN. 1 Jn 2:16–FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD, THE LUST OF THE FLESH, AND THE LUST OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE, IS NOT OF THE FATHER, BUT IS OF THE WORLD. Pv 16:18–PRIDE GOETH BEFORE DESTRUCTION. Gal 5:20–24–IDOLATRY, WITCHCRAFT, HATRED,…WRATH, STRIFE,…ENVYINGS, MURDERS, DRUNKENNESS,…AND SUCH LIKE: OF THE WHICH I TELL YOU BEFORE, AS I HAVE ALSO TOLD YOU IN TIME PAST, THAT THEY WHICH DO SUCH THINGS SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD. BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE: AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW. AND THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH THE AFFECTIONS AND LUSTS STRIFE AND ANGER REPEATING SOME OF THE ABOVE, PLUS MORE Ps 35:1–PLEAD MY CAUSE, O LORD, WITH THEM THAT STRIVE WITH ME: FIGHT AGAINST THEM THAT FIGHT AGAINST ME. Pv 3:30–STRIVE NOT WITH A MAN WITHOUT CAUSE, IF HE HAVE DONE THEE NO HARM. Pv 25:8–GO NOT FORTH HASTILY TO STRIVE. Pv 15:18–A WRATHFUL MAN STIRRETH UP STRIFE: BUT HE THAT IS SLOW TO ANGER APPEASETH STRIFE. Pv 17:1–BETTER IS A DRY MORSEL, AND QUIETNESS THEREWITH, THAN AN HOUSE FULL OF SACRIFICES WITH STRIFE. Pv 17:14–THE BEGINNING OF STRIFE IS AS WHEN ONE LETTETH OUT WATER: THEREFORE LEAVE OFF CONTENTION, BEFORE IT BE MEDDLED WITH. Pv 20:3–IT IS AN HONOUR FOR A MAN TO CEASE FROM STRIFE: BUT EVERY FOOL WILL BE MEDDLING. Pv 22:10–CAST OUT THE SCORNER, AND CONTENTION SHALL GO OUT; YEA, STRIFE AND REPROACH SHALL CEASE. Pv 26:17–HE THAT…MEDDLETH WITH STRIFE…IS LIKE ONE THAT TAKETH A DOG BY THE EARS. Pv 26:21–AS COALS ARE TO BURNING COALS, AND WOOD TO FIRE; SO IS A CONTENTIOUS MAN TO KINDLE STRIFE. Ro 13:13–LET US WALK HONESTLY,…NOT IN STRIFE. 1 Cor 3:3–FOR YE ARE YET CARNAL: FOR WHEREAS THERE IS…STRIFE,…ARE YE NOT CARNAL, AND WALK AS MEN? Gal 5:20–21–…WRATH, STRIFE, SEDITIONS, HERESIES,…AND SUCH LIKE: OF THE WHICH I TELL YOU BEFORE, AS I HAVE ALSO TOLD YOU IN TIME PAST, THAT THEY WHICH DO SUCH THINGS SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Phili 2:3–…LET NOTHING BE DONE THROUGH STRIFE…LET EACH ESTEEM OTHER BETTER THAN THEMSELVES. Ja 3:16–FOR WHERE…STRIFE IS, THERE IS CONFUSION AND EVERY EVIL WORK. 2 Tim 2:24–AND THE SERVANT OF THE LORD MUST NOT STRIVE; BUT BE GENTLE UNTO ALL MEN… Eph 4:31–LET ALL…ANGER…BE PUT AWAY FROM YOU. Col 3:8–BUT NOW…PUT OFF ALL…ANGER,…OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. Lk 13:24–STRIVE TO ENTER IN AT THE STRAIT GATE: FOR MANY, I SAY UNTO YOU, WILL SEEK TO ENTER IN, AND SHALL NOT BE ABLE. Note the kind of people the Scriptures associate with strife: wrathful, scorner, contentious and carnal (or worldly–minded). http://amazingbible.org