STRIFE AND CONTENTION…APPEASED BY THE WISE (Video + Notes)

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Teacher: Brother Elijah
Church: Israel, The Church of Jesus
PDF VERSION: STRIFE AND CONTENTION…APPEASED BY THE WISE

Where two or more are gathered in Jesus name, Christ is in the midst. However, we also need to understand that, where 2 or more are gathered, Satan is going to be there as well. We are bound to experience hardship and conflict but when we understand God, we will know that he will give us the solution to all our conflict.

There is always a solution, even if that means being quiet or separating from the person. If God does not show us the solution, we just have to wait on the Lord. Sometimes we will not have the answer to everything but the Lord has the remedy to everything.

The more wisdom we have, the better we will know how to deal with drama and people. We should not be surprised by the drama or contention that takes place in our lives or with other people because the people (even the servants of God) in the Bible experienced all types of drama and hardship. However, they had to keep serving God.

Therefore, we need to be mindful of what to expect and how to handle strife and contention. If we are wise, we will look to find a solution. We also need to understand that we can make matters worse if we do not understand our roles in the matter.

There is a time for everything (e.g. – don’t answer a fool in his folly, but also answer a fool in his folly – Proverbs 26:4-5).

We have to exercise the correct judgement to understand the appropriate time to act. Be sure to do things at the right time to avoid unnecessary strife.

Ecclesiastes 3
King James Version (KJV)

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

 

Strife from the very beginning: Cain upset with Abel (apart of the first 4 ppl on the planet) because he did not do his best and his brother did.

(This tells us as servants of God, others will get angry at us for keeping Gods laws because they may consider that they are wrong but their pride wont allow them to change).

God gave Cain a fair chance to do good but Cain acted in his anger and killed Abel in his jealousy.

Genesis 4
King James Version (KJV)

3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

 

 

Strife between the servants of Abraham (Lot’s uncle) and Lot (servants of God and relatives).

Abraham knew how to settle the strife, by going separate ways.

They were not enemies but they knew that sometimes you are too close for comfort. That is why their is so much strife in the projects between African-Americans. 

Genesis 13
King James Version (KJV)

7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

 

Paul and Barnanbus’ great dissension with the Pharisee’s (a religious sect that served god based on the traditions of men even though they called it the law of moses) who wanted to force their version of the law on the new Gentile’s :

If you know God and you are foremost concerned with doing his will, then there will always be an answer to strife and contention.

This strife was appeased by going to the elders. Peter helped solved the situation.

Acts 15
King James Version (KJV)

1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

 

We should always seek to use our words and information to benefit the situation. Thus, do not tell people’s business, whether it is true or not. If someone does wrong to us or others, we are not to hate them, curse them out, or mock them (suffer yourself to be defrauded 1 Cor 6:7).

We are to tell them the wrong that they did in order for them to have a chance to correct themselves.

Furthermore, we are not to avenge or hold grudges because that is being carnal minded and does not appease the situation. Remember that vengeance is of the Lord.

Leviticus 19
King James Version (KJV)

16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the Lord.

17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

 

When someone does wrong, a common tendency for man is to tell everyone but the person who did wrong and they might not even know that they have done wrong – This is a carnal ungodly solution to appeasing strife.

Another common tendency is to not say anything to the person who wronged us and allow them to keep doing wrong until we finally get impatient or pushed to the limit and then we explode on the person and end up attacking them verbally or physically.

The Lord does not want us to handle situations like that. We are to go directly to the person that did us wrong in meekness, and tell them that they have wronged us in order to avoid further strife in hope that they repent.

If they do not listen we are to get other witnesses – not to puff ourselves up or make the person look bad, but in order for the situation to be fair and just. In all of this we are not to get angry of spiteful because vengeance is of the Lord. If the person rejects the council and authority of the body/elders and does not listen, then they must be treated as an outsider.

Matthew 18
King James Version (KJV)

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

When we are wrong, we would want someone to give us the benefit of the doubt and give us a second chance. Therefore, when others do wrong towards us and others, we are to forgive them. Do not let strife and contention control you or else it will be your demise. Also, do not get puffed up in these situations because that will cause strife and envying.

Galatians 5
King James Version (KJV)

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Wherever there is constant contention someone is operating in pride. However, the wisdom of the Lord will always provide a solution to it.

Proverbs 13:10
King James Version (KJV)

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

 

Sometimes we can get bent out of shape and angry over a situation or a person but that will only make us look foolish and wrong in the sight of the Lord because we are supposed to be meek and calm (wrath of man is contrary to God’s righteousness James 1:20). If we are wise, we will not exclaim the wrong somebody did, because that will make it worse. We will try to appease or solve the situation.

Proverbs 12:16
King James Version (KJV)

16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

We have to always remember to look at ourselves concerning a situation that may make us upset. Sometimes it is not the situation but it is our own carnal agenda or idea that we may be feeding which is making us upset. Aaron and Miriam stirred up strife by secretly hating the fact that Moses was ordained by God, which caused their own strife. But if they were focused on God’s agenda (which is ultimately about love) then they would not have had that problem.

Wanteth not sin – We won’t have to look hard for sin in the multitude of words but the less we say, the better chance we have of not saying anything foolish. If we do not have anything helpful to say, then we

Proverbs 10
King James Version (KJV)

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

We will encounter strife and contention with people BUT that will never give us the right to hate them (especially if they have not done something to us). There is always a solution to any problem. Remember to love, forgive and do not tell people about the wrong doing of other’s unless the time calls for it because our aim is to make situations better and not worse.

Proverbs 11
King James Version (KJV)

12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

You can be doing good one day, and bad the next but if God has shown you that he is with you, you should always have the faith to overcome trials (including strife and contention – See Job). During hard times we must always remember that God is able to deliver!

Israel saw that God delivered them but they lost faith when trouble came and spoke against God. Therefore, God punished them and killed them. If we have seen the works of God, we need to strive to please him and do not doubt him and complain when things do not go our way.

Numbers 21
King James Version (KJV)

1 And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.

2 And Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.

3 And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

The old testament is a learning tool for our example. Do not murmur at the Lord:

1 Corinthians 10
King James Version (KJV)

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The men of Israel rise up against Moses and Aaron because they had pride and vain glory in the back of their minds which caused strife. Because of their pride and hatred they were killed. They should have asked themselves why were they that upset and sought out to do and accept the Father’s will to prevent them from being killed.

Moses was a righteous example and he appeased the strife by being humble, rebuking in truth, and waiting on the Lord.

He did not act foolishly and the Lord saw the whole thing and killed the men that was against Moses. It is a shame that the children of Israel acted so crazy in the presence of the Lord, but this shows us that there will always be strife and contention amongst us. It also shows that the Lord is always watching our actions.

Numbers 16

King James Version (KJV)

1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:

2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?

4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:

5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the Lord will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;

7 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the Lord to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the Lord doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:

9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?

(The people of Israel thought they were murmuring against Moses but they were really murmuring against God and his will):

11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?

12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:

13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?

14 Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

(The people were acting like Moses harmed them but he did not. All he did was do the Lord’s will. The Lord will listen to the requests of his servants):

15 And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the Lord, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the Lord, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:

The men of Israel were dead wrong but they had deceived themselves into thinking that they were right (Proverbs 16:25).

17 And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the Lord every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.

18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation.

28 And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.

29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me.

30 But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord.

31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:

32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

35 And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

The Lord settled the strife and the people of Israel were so crazy that they still blamed Moses:

41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord.

The strife can cease, but someone can keep it going if they are carnal minded, like the children of Israel in Numbers 16.

Sometimes, it is best for us to mind our business! Do not involve yourself in other people’s matters!

Proverbs 26

King James Version (KJV)

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

A wise person seeks peace, but fools will always be looking to cause strife!

Proverbs 20

King James Version (KJV)

3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

People with ill intentions creates strife. A whisperer or talebearer that is involved in other people’s business, can separate friends.

We have to be wise to know that there are always two sides to a story so we should not believe a whisperer until we know the full story. A fool answers a matter before he hears it! (Proverbs 18:13)

If you serve the Lord and have wisdom, you will learn how to deal with problems. Remember if there is no solution at the time, then don’t say anything.

Proverbs 16

King James Version (KJV)

28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

We must appease strife by remaining humble and meek in our words and actions contentious situations.

Also a soft answer breaks the bone – it will hurt an angry person (Proverbs 25:15). The opposite of humility is grievous, fighting words that make people angry.

We must remember that the Lord see’s all. He will judge us by our works so we need to strive to operate in wisdom and humility.

Moreover, if we serve him, he will deal with the situation. It is wise to be slow to anger!

Proverbs 15

King James Version (KJV)

1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

 

The wise judgement of King Solomon… Servants of God should be able to solve strife in any situation between any people from any walk of life.

The answer may even seem unorthodox but if the wisdom is from God, it will appease the situation.

Solomon knew that the woman who was willing to appease the strife was the rightful owner of the child.

Our wisdom should allow us to to see the godly wisdom in other people in order to determine who is right and who is wrong in a situation.

1 Kings 3

King James Version (KJV)

16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.

17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.

18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.

19 And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it.

20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.

21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.

22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.

23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.

25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.

28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

 

Most times, even servants of God have the wrong thought process in our minds that makes us creates strife over nothing (verse 24) – Jesus was about to die but the disciples were thinking about who is greater amongst them.

We are not to worry about being great, we are to focus on serving God, and we will be great! If there was strife between people who walked with Jesus, we know that there will be strife with us.

Luke 22

King James Version (KJV)

21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

 

Be very mindful of your anger. It is possible to be angry for no reason. We cannot serve God without appeasing our strife.

God will not accept our offering/service to him if we have not reconciled our wrong doings or appeased our strife with people. It is important to seek peace

 

Matthew 5
King James Version (KJV)

21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.