Winning Wisdom: The Root of Strivings

Topic: The Root of Strivings [Saturday, 1st July 2017]

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? James 4:1

I often wonder why there are conflicts and striving amongst Christians, given they are no longer in the old man but now in Christ. If you wonder like me, then our answer has come: our lusts. Upon our acceptance of Christ, our nature was changed to the nature of Christ, which is devoid of any iniquity. Our minds however need to me transformed daily to meet the status of our changed nature (Romans 12:2). In this process we are to yield ourselves continually to God, and whatever we do, we do them unto Him (Romans 14:7-8). That means all our desires should be unto God, and in line with His will.

When we, however, start derailing from this, and insisting upon what we want or think is right, conflicts arise. Hebrews 12:15 tells us “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled”. This is so because the flesh is always at war with the Spirit (James 4:4), and if as spirit beings, if we give the flesh allowance, there’ll be conflict with both ourselves and other brethren.

How then do we get the things we need in life? 2 Peter 1:3 says “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” This is our reality, everything we need has been given to us, all we need do is ask to receive them (John 14:13). We would however not receive what we ask if we ask merely to consume it upon our lust. Don’t forget that the root of the strivings is our lust, and asking to satisfy our lust is equivalent to asking God to endorse our lust. We, then, have to ask in line with the will of God, because all He has provided for us is according to His will (Matthew 6:10).

We know His will through His Spirit and His word (1 Corinthians 2:16, John 15:7).

Live according to God’s will, and there’ll be no strivings.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer:

Dear Father, thank You for all things that You have perfected before the foundations of the earth. Help and guide me to walk in line with Your perfect work, that there will be unity and love in the body of Christ, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

By Esun Tekeme