DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE CAUSE OF CONFLICT
"Where do wars and fight come from among you? Do they not come from your desires of pleasure that war in our members?" (James 4:1)
Conflicts. They are inevitable as personalities clash. We are all made differently and have our own desires. People want what they want and will fight to get it. It's called greed.
On an international level, wars are caused by one nation (or a dictator) being greedy for more territory to rule. So that nation attacks another nation in order to conquer that land, and the other nation fights back to keep their own land.
On a cultural level, we are sue-hungry. We want what we feel is our right and what is ours and it sometimes involves fighting it out in court.
On a marriage level, a husband and wife have conflicts because each one has different needs and perspectives, and they fight for their personal desires.
On a family level, children and siblings fight because they want what they want.
On a church level, people fight because they want to control what happens in the church, whether it is the color of the carpet or who teaches or leads a ministry.
So where does that leave us? We need to carefully evaluate whether our fights are for truth or for personal preference. If it is for truth, then we need to stand and fight for what is right and true. But it if it for a personal preference, then we need to do our best to avoid the conflict. As the scriptures say, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12 :18). That may require me to relinquish some of my personal rights or desires in order to keep the peace.
We serve the Prince of Peace who gave up His own rights to come to this world to save us. He put us ahead of his own desires. Now we get to sacrifice our own preferences for the sake of keeping the peace. May God help me to be a person of peace.
Love, Dad
No comments:
Post a Comment