Strife is simply a disagreement, or conflict that lingers and stirs up hatred, malice and violence among people. It is natural for humans to disagree and offend each other, but what maters the most is the way these disagreements and conflicts are resolved. It is quite difficult to cope with ourselves, in fact it is impossible not to disagree or get offended by one another. But as Christians, strife should not exist among us. Using Jesus as our perfect example of righteousness. We can deduce from the history of his stay on earth that he had no strife with anyone. This is the footmark we ought to follow. Peace is a virtue that should be evident in our lives as believers of the gospel of Christ. It will interest you to know that strife arises as result of some ungodly desires, like envy, pride. This is why we are to purge ourselves off from any ungodly characters in us. In the scripture, Christ emphasized on living peacefully with one another. The Holy Spirit do not dwell in hearts that are filled with ungodly thoughts and traits, and when the Holy Spirit is absent in our hearts, the devil comes in and dominate.
The Bible often teaches about strife, presenting it as a very destructive force capable of separating us from God and from our fellow man, and also lead us into damnation. Strife is a contradiction to Christian life style and Biblical precepts. As Christians, we have been called to always seek peace over trouble and strife. Although, by default the heart of man is prone to do bad, so even when we get offended by one another, the Bible has encouraged us on how to handle issues among us, so that it does not lead to breeding more evil and malicious thoughts. Let us strive to live peacefully with one another, especially people of the same house hold of faith. Join us in this article as uncover some important Bible verses that will guide us on how to avoid strife and maintain a life of harmony.
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What Does The Bible Say About Strife?
The scripture clearly condemns the issue of strife among Christians. The Apostles encourage Christians to live in peacefulness, tolerating one another and promoting unity in their households and in the Church of Christ. Peace being one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, this fruit is to be possessed by everyone that has been called into the kingdom of God.
Proverbs 17:14 “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out”. This scripture warns us against the dangers of starting strife, encouraging us to resolve issues among us in a godly way and live in harmony.
Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”. Here, the bible notably admits that it is almost impossible to live peacefully with one another, and this is because of the Adamic nature of man. However, the Bible encourages us to do our part in maintaining peace, at all cost.
Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”. Apostle Paul encourages believers to get rid of any iota of ungodly attributes, such as bitterness, anger and malice. Below are some important Bible verses that teaches about strife;
Bible Verses About Strife
- What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? – James 4:1
- Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. – Proverbs 10:12
- Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. – Proverbs 17:14
- If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. – Galatians 5:15
- Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. – Philippians 2:3
- If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. – Romans 12:18
- A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. – Proverbs 15:18
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
- Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:9
- Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. – Romans 14:19
- Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone. – 2 Timothy 2:23-24
- As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. – Proverbs 26:21
- 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. – Matthew 18:15
- The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper. – Proverbs 28:25
- Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk. – Isaiah 58:9
- An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. – Proverbs 29:22
- I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. – 1 Corinthians 1:10
- It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. – Proverbs 20:3
- Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. – Matthew 12:25
- Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. – Psalms 120:6-7
- A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again. – Proverbs 19:19
- They are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words. – 1 Timothy 6:4
- For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. – James 3:16
- A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1
- I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33
- Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalms 34:14
- Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm. – Proverbs 3:30
- Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. – Galatians 6:1
- For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. – 2 Corinthians 12:20
- Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. – Hebrews 12:14
- You have made us a strife to our neighbors, And our enemies laugh among themselves. – Psalm 80:6
- They angered Him also at the waters of strife, So that it went ill with Moses on account of them. – Psalm 106:32
- A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. – Proverbs 16:28
- He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. – Proverbs 17:19
- A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. – Proverbs 18:6
- Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart. – Proverbs 18:18
- Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease. – Proverbs 22:10
- Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. – Proverbs 26:20-21
- However his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one shall certainly come and overwhelm and pass through; then he shall return to his fortress and stir up strife. – Daniel 11:10
- Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land. – Hosea 4:1
