Strife a thief and a robber

And the servant of the Lord must not strive....
-2 Timothy 2:24 KJV


Strife is a thief and a robber which we must learn to recognize and deal with quickly. We must control strife before it controls us.

Strife is defined as "the act or state of fighting or quarreling, especially bitterly....discord." It is bickering, arguing, being involved in a heated disagreement, or shows up as an angry undercurrent. Strife is dangerous. It is a demonic force sent by Satan for the purpose of destruction.

The Bible says to resist the devil at his onset. (1 Peter 5:8,9.) Almost any time someone hurts us, or offends us, anger rises up within us. It is not sin to feel anger. But we must not act out the angry feelings in an ungodly way. We must not hold a grudge or get into bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness. Ephesians 4:26 says don't let your wrath, your anger, last until the sun goes down.

A judgmental attitude is an open door for strife. We must remember that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13 NIV). Judgment usually leads to gossip. Gossip begins to spread the strife from person to person. It gets us out of agreement, harmony, and unity. It actually moves us out of the realm of God's blessings.

When the temptation comes to judge others, and then spread our opinion through gossip and backbiting, we should remember this helpful hint: Let the one among us who is without sin cast the first stone. (John 8:7 KJV.)

Remember: God changes things through prayer and faith, not through judgment and gossip.

Do This:

Every once in a while read Romans, chapter 14, just to remind yourself that we all have different ideas, opinions, and ways of doing things.

I need you to lord. Help me not to hold on to stuff.