DON’T STRIVE WITH ANYONE

(Stay Away From Illegitimate Fights)

TO THE BIBLE: 2 Chronicles 18:3-4 MSG

“Then Ahab brought it into the open: “Will you join me in attacking Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat said, “You bet. I’m with you all the way; you can count on me and my troops.” Then Jehoshaphat said, “But before you do anything, ask GOD for guidance.””

LET’S TALK

“I wish I knew where Kevin lived, so I can go beat him up,” muttered Andrew.

“Hey man, where did that come from?!” Steven replied in shock.

“He hurt me, man! I’ve got to give him a piece of my mind,” Andrew retorted.

“Come on man, let it go. That’s not a legitimate fight for you. Leave it alone!”

The fight of faith is the only legitimate fight for the believer; and it’s not a fight with people. So, never fight or get into strife with anyone over anything. Fighting with people is a wrong fight. Sometimes, it might seem right and just to “fight” for something or a cause, but seek the Lord’s guidance first like Jehoshaphat requested (2 Chronicles 18:3-4).

If you think you’ve been defrauded or cheated by a fellow brother or sister, as you resolve to take up the matter, remember the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 6:7 says, “…Therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?” Live the higher life; don’t strive with people. Like Ahab, many people fight for different “Ramoth Gileads” today, without listening to the Lord. Don’t function that way.

Consider Abraham who, when he had a land dispute with his nephew, Lot, resolved it without any squabble. Abraham, with a heavenly consciousness, said to his nephew, “…Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren” (Genesis 13:8). That’s the way heavenly people talk. They don’t think they might have a disadvantage. That’s the way you should think, and when you do, you wouldn’t need to fight anyone for anything.

Go Deeper

Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 12:18

Speak

The Lord has already established me on the Rock, Christ Jesus, and no weapon fashioned against me can prosper. It doesn’t matter who’s against me; they can’t take away from me that which God has given me. I’m different, and can never be disadvantaged.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

Galatians 3:15-25, Songs of Solomon 6-8

TWO YEAR

Luke 23:26-33, 2 Samuel 9-10

Act

Set yourself to forgive those who may have upset you during this month and earlier. Give them a call and work things out with them.