The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Strife

Strife

Once again, we find the concept on unity vs division. The Family of God is to be unified, of one mind, towards one goal. We are all one love, serving one God, in one Way. Through the teachings of Jesus The Christ, and through the Sowing of the Seed wherever we may go.

Anything that interrupts this, or is contrary to this, is NOT of God. This "The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh," is called Strife.. This is not one of those that is complicated to understand. However, sometimes hard to avoid.

"Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, " {2 Timothy 2:23-25}

Strife is conflict. It is someone who either honestly disagrees with something and wants to argue about it, or someone who is PURPOSEFULLY using a disagreement to stir up division and chaos. In some of these cases it can become so bad that the Church itself becomes divided. In some extreme cases, whole other denominations and even entirely new Religions are formed from this schism.

Now there are a lot of examples. Look at the current Strife and schisms in some of our Churches today. The cause? Homosexuality. God is CLEAR on Homosexuality. Leviticus 18:1-5, 22-24, 29, Leviticus 20:13, Ezekiel 16:49-51, Romans 1:18-32, just to name a few.

Factions result from losing sight of God. His Will. Christ and the Gospel. Divisions happen when the Word of God, and the Gospel of Christ itself is compromised. Homosexuality, and those that promote it, have done a GREAT job normalizing that of which was once widely accepted as both Sin and against Nature itself. They made it Hip and Cool. They made it a cause such as freeing Slaves. They succeeded in a World sense. The Highest Court in the Land just Ruled that Gays have a "Right" To Marry. So some of our Churches have decided, either from a false sense of compassion, or out of the leaderships own lustful desires, have started to accept Homosexuality as godly and good. Some even Ordain Gay Leaders.

Here is the problem. GOD DOES NOT CHANGE! HIS WORD DOES NOT CHANGE! SIN DOES NOT BECOME GOOD! GOOD DOES NOT BECOME SIN! THERE IS NO CONFUSION! HOMOSEXUALITY IS SIN AGAINST GOD AND NATURE. God is not going to accept Sin just because we no longer accept His view on it.

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."{Proverbs 6:16-19}

Paul tells us that there are many parts, but only one Body in Christ

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." {1 Corinthians 12:12-27}

ANYTHING that disrupts this, is not of God. Someone causing Strive, means, that the Body no long is united and no longer working the way it should. This is why we are told to beware of these things.

"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." {James 3:14-16}

Jesus tells us to make sure that we do not allow even our Brothers to be a cause of Strife..

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." {Matthew 18:15-17}

Jesus is pretty serious here. He gives you steps to reconcile with your Brother, yet if your Brother chooses not to, than we are to disown him all together. That is how much God wants His Family unified.

It has been, is now, and will always be, one of the most effective tools of War. Divide and Conquer. It is a simple concept. If we are fighting among ourselves, or we and not untied in a common front, our enemy has it so much easier to take us out. Yet, if the enemy comes and finds a untied front, with a massive number for people standing arm to arm, ready for whatever they have? United we stand, divided we fall.

We know that there are some that attack us, the Church, attempting to use this very technique. They look for the weak or less knowledgeable. They start whispering questions. The hope is that this will create a ripple in the Congregations. The hope is, that eventually, that ripple with grow into a Schism, and into, Strife.

Do not be mislead...

"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." {Romans 16:17}

Now I want you to read that one part again. "who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught" "and create obstacles," "and create obstacles." See Jesus said,,,

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." {John 3:16}

We say, as long as you are born into this or that "Religion." Are Circumcised or do not become Circumcised. Eat Meat daily. Don't eat meat on Friday Wear this or that types of cloths. Serve the Leader of the Church in this or that fashion. Follow all the Tenets to the T. Then, MAYBE Then, as long as the Leader of the Church feels you did good enough, you THEN become Saved.

Again, Jesus said...

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." {John 3:16}

Everything else is nonsense. Everything else is pointless. Everything else is Man-Made-Tradition. We are to be one Family. The Family of God. We are to share the Gospel. Anything else can bring in Strife to the unity and peace of the Body of Christ. Don't let it.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..