Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. Proverbs 17:1 (NIV)
In the list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, strife is placed right alongside adultery, jealousy, murder, drunkenness, idolatry and many other vile sins. Therefore strife is no different from idolatry, murder and the rest in the list. This is because they’re all sins and thus they all lead to death.
The works of the flesh means the results of selfishness and self-effort and strife is one of them. Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)
Strife stifles peace and quiet and therefore strangles life. It suffocates flow of energy and stops growth.
Our theme Scripture above has said that it’s better to have a not so good meal with peace and quiet than to have the best food where there’s strife or quarrels, fightings, conflict and trouble. Strife is the opposite of peace and quiet. Wherever strife is automatically peace and quiet have already left.
Peace and quiet strengthen and foster wholeness and advancement. Strife weakens, causes divisions, and destroys.
Sickness or disease is actually strife in the body. When some organisms, germs, virus, or bacteria whether foreign or native to the body fight against the body’s normal way of functioning that’s big trouble. That’s what causes sickness. Even when a vital organ starts functioning contrary to the body’s proper system of operation something is terribly wrong. It can lead to incapacitation or death.
Strife is sickness and it ends in death. It ends in death of relationships, potential, and dreams.
The root cause of strife is selfishness. Whenever it’s always me, myself and I, the end result will be strife, conflict, quarrels and trouble.
Get your focus off of yourself and onto God. Stop being preoccupied with only your own interests and consider the interests of others.
Allow God to take care of you in any situation of friction or contention. Even where it looks like you’re being taken advantage of, let God deal with your case and vindicate you. Avoid the habit of asserting your rights in a manner that disregards, disrespects, demeans and destroys others. Walk in love.