By definition, a series disagreement or argument is a conflict. We are incompatible with one another. I believe in our current state of political discourse, we are in conflict at a level of absurdity. If the a person says the sky is blue then the another may say no it is overcast and going to rain somewhere. True but maybe not here and today. Someone is always going to want to rain on your parade. But, do we succumb to the negative press about ourselves or about what we believe as the truth? There is a source of conflict like there is a source of wisdom. Where do you get your conflict and where do you obtain your wisdom? This is a complicated question. Last week I wrote about meanings of Shrew, Rudder and Tongue. The later as in the Taming of the Tongue to not speak cursing. Instead, speak blessing. Where is the fun in talking blessing when many of us thrive on making statements or claims that only cause discourse and conflict. Why can’t we get along? I believe it comes down to where we get our strength. When we see stories of people in crises from a major weather event on TV, it is not just a story on the news. It becomes a 24 hour, 7 day a week repeat of the event and the aftermath. We watch and feel blessed that it did not happen to us. Some of us act with donations, some act with pity, some just watch and ask why government is not doing more. Likewise, when an event happens in the political arena, some act to say this is ridiculous while others say crucify him or her. Unfortunately, our source of conflict and wisdom comes from an inanimate box in the corner of our house called a TV or a hand held device rapidly replacing our brains. Too hard? Maybe, but where do we get our source of conflict?
James 3 starting at verse 13, questions our wisdom and where it comes from. Are our actions good with a humble lifestyle or do we have bitter jealously and selfish ambition in our heart? This is not the source of wisdom from above but comes from the earth, natural and demonic. (V 15). If our wisdom is pure, peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, genuine and we sow our seeds of justice by our peaceful acts, then that wisdom comes from above earthly influence. (V 17,18)
What is the source of conflict among you? (James 4:1) Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. (V 7,8)
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