The Floodgates of Strife
Picking a fight is like leaking water from a crack in a dam, so walk away from an argument before the outburst. Proverbs 17:14 (The Voice, VOICE)
Like most of Proverbs, this one verse packs a powerful punch. There is such wisdom in what this is telling us. Strife can seem to start off small, like a small trickle or little drops coming out of a leak in a dam. However, if that trickle continues, it creates a wider crack in the dam, until it breaks open and floods everything. Unchecked strife is extremely damaging to the life of the believer.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6 (New American Standard Bible, NASB)
If you’ve ever wondered why your faith is not producing what you are believing for, check your love walk. If you are walking in strife instead of love, it blocks the effectiveness of faith, since faith works through love. It’s all those little disagreements and minor offenses and irritations that add up and drown our faith in the flood of strife. Every drop of strife builds and builds and then releases a deluge of negativity and confusion and every evil work (James 3:16).
Strife is actually tied to selfishness and ambition- trying to be above someone else or get the best of them. It is a divisive, competitive spirit. It is destructive and blocks the working of your faith. You can take authority over it, commanding every spirit of strife to leave in Jesus’ name. Repent of pride and selfishness and allowing strife to get in. Then welcome the Spirit of unity and peace to help you live free of it.
Don’t open the floodgates of strife and drown your faith. Faith is a powerful force, and we can be powerful people if we reject strife and walk in love.
