Friday, February 3, 2017

February 3 Thought for the day.....fighting division at the root



There are two enemies of healthy relationships that we really don't talk about. These two things are at the root of many problems in marriages, friendships, co-workers, and churches. James nails it in chapter 3 verse 16

"For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there."

When we feel strong and secure these two attitudes are kept in check and under control but when fear and insecurity kick in these attitudes are knocking at the door.

The word used for "envy" means a fierce desire to promote one's convicts to the exclusion of everyone else, it goes beyond normal simple conviction to obsession. It can become and extremist or fanatical point of view. I have seen Christians lose their friendships over everything from their political views to the colors of the napkins at an event. Anytime our views get in the way of our love one for another we may have found ourselves in envy.

The word used for "self-seeking" means strife, an ambition that blinds. People like these often seek out others just like them and together push their agenda to the exclusion of Christ call and our relationships. Ironically many "fixated with this selfish ambition" believe they are doing Godly work.

The result of the obsession being driven by selfish ambition is confusion. The word used for "confusion" means anarchy. James explicitly tells us that when situations of strife and envy are allowed to persist, an atmosphere of anarchy sets in and begins to destroy the relationships we once loved and cherished. This is one of the quickest ways to destroy any relationship. The word evil means "foul-smelling in every way".

I hope this makes it very clear that as Christ-followers we need to pay particular attention to overcoming and better yet stopping these divisions in our lives.

Unity does not mean uniformity we can have difference and differences of opinion but not to the exclusion of God's truth and love. If you find yourself obsessing or striving with everyone over your view perhaps you should spend more time with the Lord and either repent or find gentler more loving ways of communicating that are free of obsession.




1 comment:

Unknown said...

WOW! I never looked at envy that way? This is such an encouraging Word for me, I so look forward to reading this blog daily, so many times it's a right now Word for me and the impact it makes for my daily struggles is undoubtably a Word from God. Thank you for your obedience to Him and allowing Him to use you to build us, equip us and show us He is in control ALL the time!!!