How To Prevent Strife

“For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” — Proverbs 30:33 NIV

What is strife, and how can we prevent it from happening in our lives? Strife means controversy. It is the worst form of anger. It destroys harmony in relationships. And since God wants us to pursue peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14), it’s of necessity that we’d prevent strife from occurring among ourselves, especially as brethren in the Lord.

However, you can’t solve a problem if you don’t understand its cause. So to prevent strife, you must know what causes it in order not to do that thing.

In Proverbs 30:33, the Bible says stirring up anger causes strife. So one of the causes of strife is prolonged anger. Anger, in itself, isn’t a sin. However, it’s a bait to make you sin. Ephesians 4:26 says,

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

So if you allow what caused you to be angry to carry over to the next day, you’ll be causing strife.

Knowing this very well, it implies that emphasising forgiveness is very important in our relationships with one another. No matter what you do, people will offend you. However, Colossians 3:13 tells us to forgive others as Christ has also forgiven us. Note that there are no conditions attached to that scripture.

Your point may be correct, but to prevent strife and promote peace, lay aside what makes you think you’re right and forgive your offender. You’ll see that this attitude will cut out many of the problems you have (or will have) with people.

You’re a blessing.

Prayer

Father, I pray that you’ll help me to overcome any offence so that my peace in you won’t be long compromised; that I’ll continue to live in harmony with like-minded people in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 322