Strife.

Monday, August 16, 2010: 1 Timothy 6:3 – 5 (NKJV)

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

Who is a source of strife? What’s the suggested remedy? A proud man, thinking he knows it all, but is a compulsive disputer is a cause of strife. We are simply asked to withdraw from such, without continuing any argument.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010: 2 Timothy 2:14 – 16 (NKJV)

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

What diffuses strife? If we avoid what we recognize as useless words that will not profit the hearer, we will not enter into strife.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010: 2 Timothy 2:23 – 26 (NKJV)

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

What generates strife? What’s the suggested remedy? Foolish disputes over matters that no one knows much about generate strife. Use gentleness to show the disputer the futility of argument: they will escape the trap laid by the devil.

Thursday, August 19, 2010: Proverbs 28:25, 29:22, 10:12 (NKJV)

He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife

But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

An angry man stirs up strife

And a furious man abounds in transgression.

Hatred stirs up strife

But love covers all sins.

Who stirs up strife? What’s the suggested remedy? Pride, anger and hatred stir up strife: love in return will cover such sins.

Friday, August 20, 2010: Proverbs 26:20

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;

And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

How can strife and reproach cease? Stop being a tattletale.