THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF STRIFE: THE MATCH OF STRIFE.
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) (Two part)
DISCUSS RIPPLE EFFECT: continuing and spreading results of an action. What is the power of one match?
Larry Carter and I were discussing the difference between JOY and HAPPY. Larry very well said: HAPPY IS EXTERNAL, CARNAL, THE FLESH --- He went on to say JOY is INTERNAL, SPIRITUAL
THE RIPPLE EFFECT:
Strife has a growing ability to take something that is healthy and turn it into a mess of dysfunction.
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
**STRIFE: angry or bitter disagreement, bickering, discord, quarreling, confusion, an opposing force, squabble, contention, resentment,
Strife is in our enemy’s tool box. God’s plan is growth, maturity and progress. There is a demonic enemy of God’s people that sows discord. Harmony and unity are tools in God’s tool box. One of our enemy’s greatest tools
FEW UNDERSTAND THE POWER IN STRIFE. A LITTLE STRIFE CAN DO WE KNOW WE UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL OF A MATCH?
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
THE NORTH USED A PLAN CALLED THE ANACONDA PLAN TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER THROUGH PURPOSEFUL ATTACKS THAT WILL GROW OUT OF HATRED…
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Proverbs 10:12 (MSG) Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.
Seems the north was doomed and could not be defeated. General Winfred Scott and Abraham Lincoln’s developed a STRATEGY TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER THE CONFEDERATE NATION. They could not win until there was this PLAN CALLED THE ANACONDA MILITARY PLAN. This plan was to divide the SOUTH into 3 parts… 1. In the Atlantic Blockade. 2. Divide the south going up the MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 3. Send GENERAL WILIAM SHERMAN MARCHING through the middle of the south. This division strangled the economy by destroying the bridges, trains and transportation. This division opened the flood gates for the NORTH’S VICTORY.
LINCOLN SAID: UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. Of course this was a Biblical PLAN OF UNITY’S POWER.
WHAT IS DIVISION? A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND…
Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
THE FINAL RESULTS OF DISUNITY ENSURES DEFEAT AND RUIN. LOT WAS AN AGENT OF STRIFE. THERE WAS HIDDEN IN THE HEART OF LOT, ABRAHAM’S NEPHEW… STRIFE IS A CHOICE… LOT MADE THE CHOICE THAT WAS NOT HIS TO MAKE… THE ELDER SHOULD HAVE HAD THE CHOICE. STRIFE WAS IN THE CAMP. LOT WAS SELFISH, STUBBORN AND DEMANDING.
THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE PROBLEM OF THE HEART. Lot was looking for the easy,, well watered, LUST OF THE FLESH. The SINFUL APPEAL grasp LOT’S DESIRES. LOT IS GOING TO FIT IN WELL WITH THE LIFESTYLES OF SODOM. Lot will sit in the GATES OF SODOM and GOMORRAH.
Genesis 13:8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
God blessed Abraham is many ways. God told Abraham to leave home and travel. Abraham found comfort by inviting his nephew LOT and his family. LOT was ambitious and selfish and he did not respect his UNCLE ABRAHAM.
SOON LOT COULD HAVE CARED LESS ABOUT HIS ELDER ABRAHAM. LOT’S FAMILY THOUGHT THE BENEFITS THEY WERE ENJOYING WERE COMING FROM GOD TO THEM. NOT SO. Abraham had to KEEP OUT THE FIRES OF DISAGREEMENT AND STRIFE. Several times ABRAHAM HAD TO RESCUE LOT AND INTERCEDE FOR THEM.
STRIFE IS A SNARE, A TRAP: AN EXPRESSION OF DESTRUCTION. WHAT DOES GOD THINK ABOUT DISUNITY AND STRIFE IN THE HOME?
2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
WE LACK UNDERSTANDING WHEN WE HIDE AND BRAG ABOUT STRIFE.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
DO WE UNDERSTAND WE ARE TO HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH STRIFE… FLEE, RUN AWAY, AVOID!!!
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without mUrmurings and disputings:
THE BOTTOM LINE? AT THE ROOT OF ALL STRIFE GROWS HATRED… ILL WILL, DISLIKE, RESENTMENT.
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Proverbs 10:12 (MSG) Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.
ANGRY PEOPLE STIR UP STRIFE. Annoyance, upset, rage.
Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Proverbs 15:18 (MSG) Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.
Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Proverbs 29:22 (MSG) Angry people stir up a lot of discord; the intemperate stir up trouble.
BUSY BODIES, LONG NOSE PEOPLE STIR UP STRIVE.
Proverbs 26:17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
LAZY, DO NOTHING PEOPLE GIVE BIRTH TO STRIFE.
1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
FOOLISH, ARGUMENTATIVE DISCUSSIONS AND QUESTIONS STIR UP STRIVE.
2 Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
JUDGMENTAL-ISM, LEGALISM, TRADITIONS, MAN MADE RULES CAN CAUSE STRIFE.
We can argue over tattoos, rules, haircuts, male-female, and opinions.
1 Corinthians 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
CONCLUSION: WE MUST COME TOGETHER IN LOVE AND UNITY AND AVOID EVERY CHANCE OF STRIFE.
Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Galatians 5:15 (LB) But if instead of showing love among yourselves, you are always critical and catty watch out. Beware of ruining each other.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
