B V O V
:
2 1
As I've studied the Scriptures
to fi nd the enemies of love,
I've come to believe there is
one that is more insidious and
more common than any other.
It is the enemy called strife,
which means: "vigorous or bitter
confl ict, discord and antagonism;
to quarrel, struggle or clash;
competitions; rivalry."
According to James 3:16, where
strife gets in, every other evil
work will follow. Strife opens the
door to the devil and licenses him
to bring confusion and evil into
our lives. That's why he's always
pushing for us to argue with one
another and get offended or
critical of one another. It gives
him access to us!
You see, Satan doesn't want you
to enjoy THE BLESSING that is
yours in Christ Jesus. He doesn't
want you to be healed, happy
and prosperous because, if you
are, other people will notice and
want the same quality of life you
have. They'll give their hearts to
God because of the goodness of
God they see in your life.
To keep that from happening,
the devil tries to steal THE
BLESSING from you. He tries to
trick you into opening the door of
your life to him by bringing you
an opportunity to have confl ict
with someone. He knows that
the moment you step into strife,
he can begin to gain mastery
over you. The devil wants control
of your life, but he can't have it
when you walk in love.
Don't let him have control. Make
a quality decision today to shut
the door on strife. Refuse to
argue with people. Refuse to
fi ght back when people criticize
or wrong you. Determine instead
to respond in love—take no
account of the evil done to you.
When you do mess up and say
harsh words, be quick to repent
so the devil can't get a foothold
in your life.
I can tell you not only from the
Word but from experience, it
will be one of the best decisions
you'll ever make. It will take
effort, but by God's grace you
will be able to do it. It's a small
price to pay for the freedom in
THE BLESSING…and you'll be
forever glad you did.
"Who is a wise man and endued
with knowledge among you?
let him show out of a good
conversation his works with
meekness of wisdom. But if ye
have bitter envying and strife
in your hearts, glory not, and
lie not against the truth. This
wisdom descendeth not from
above, but is earthly, sensual,
devilish. For where envying and
strife is, there is confusion and
every evil work."
James 3:13-16
by Gloria Copeland
Shut the
Door on
Strife
