AVOIDING STRIFE
(week 32/16)
OLUBI JOHNSON
We are living in perilous times (2 Tim.3.1-5) so we need divine protection from satanic attacks to live long and well enough to fulfill our destiny.
So we MUST avoid strife so we will not be taken captive by the devil according to
2Timothy 2:23-26 KJV: But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. (24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
2Timothy 2:24-25 MSG: God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, (25) working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, (26) enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.
When you are in strife, you are in Satan’s trap and he (by spiritual forces in the air through your soul and body – Eph.2.2-3) forces you to do his will and can destroy you at any time.
So, we avoid strife walking by controlling our tongues and temper by the power of Holy Spirit:
By keeping the commandment of life and love (1 Jn.3.23, Jn.20.31) by the blood (Heb.13.20-21, 1 Jn.1.9), the Word (1 Jn.2.5) and the Spirit (1 Jn.4.12-13) AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 6 HOURS (Dt.6.7, Mk.13.35, Josh.1.8) AND AT EVERY OPPOURTUNITY and by this in EVERY TEMPTATION with our thoughts (2 Cor.10.5) and actions (Pr.23.7)! In other words: watch and pray ALWAYS!
Matthew 26:41 KJV: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 21:36 KJV: Watch therefore, and pray ALWAYS that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
As we do this, we will have the wisdom and power to do the following:
Proverbs 20:3 KJV: It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
Proverbs 17:14 KJV: The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
Proverbs 18:6-7 KJV: A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. (7) A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Proverbs 27:5 KJV: Open rebuke is better than secret love.
Normally what is best is open rebuke AND secret love: which is remitting the persons sin (Jn.20.23) and asking life for them (1Jn.5.16) even without them knowing (that is why it is secret).
However, for a scorner, who will quarrel with you when you rebuke him, just do secret love alone because:
Proverbs 9:7-8 KJV: He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. (8) Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
As we practice these things, we will avoid strife and enjoy full divine protection in these perilous times!
