Avoid Strife
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth (2Tim. 2:24-25).
This is an instruction that many people have ignored in their Christian race – ” a servant of the Lord must not strife.” Strife is anger or bitter disagreement over issues that are fundamental to the parties involved. Bitterness often lead to malice and resentment, which does not edify a child of God. When you become too concerned about your position on a particular issue, you could become agitated and strife may set in, just in an attempt to defend your position. A fundamental principle to learn in the face of a dissenting voice is that, truth can stand on it’s own. State your case and rest.
If a servant of God must not strife, what should he do? He must be kind to everyone. He is not to be nice but kind. Niceness is what we do to be accepted by others while kindness is showing genuine care about others. Then you must be able to teach and instruct those who oppose you, especially about what you believe. That is the biblical way to convince others about your believe that is in conflict with theirs. Strife does not produce good result in any way.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work (Jas.3.16).
Envying and strife are twin evils that can lead to more evils. They are hidden motives that engineer people to do unthinkable things. It is your duty not to allow envy and strife grow in your heart. This is because where there is strife, there are more evils brewing. The antidote is to guard your heart jealously because out of it comes the issues of life.
© Olusola John