#Perfect_Solution_for_Fights_and_Squabbles,

Dear Diary,

The life-changing gospel according to James: What Wracks Relationships, Homes, the Body of Christ, and Nations?

#Perfect_Solution_for_Fights_and_Squabbles,

Opening observation

Who hasn’t had fights and quarrels? Countless times, I have had trivial fights and unnecessary squabble with friends and also family. Am sure many of us can identify with me. Probably you have a friend you have been constantly quarreling with, sometime over very trivial things. It leaves you feeling frustrated and sour. Have you stopped to think and ask yourself, “Why are we quarreling? What is the real source of our conflict? Who is to blame?” As you might be aware, the first century church wrestled with conflicts between members. For example, Paul fiercely disagreed with Barnabas over John Mark; the Corinth church was divided into factions; the Philippi church had two wonderful women who couldn’t get along; the members of the Galatia church were biting and devouring each other; at the Ephesus church, in fact Paul appealed for tolerance and love between the church members, (Acts 15:36-40; Gal 5:15; Eph 4:1-16). In James chapter 4, the author takes quality time and space to address the issue of fights and quarrels among brethren. What he is asking is relevant even today not only in the church but also in various institutions. “What causes fights and squabbles among you?” What wracks relationships, homes, churches, and nations?

Source of fights and squabbles, v.1-3

If a conflict is to be solved reasonably, its source must be correctly identified. Remarkably, the enemy is not overseas and/or from the other person but IT DWELLS WITHIN YOU! James answer to the source of fights and quarrels is somewhat blunt, “Don’t they come from desires (Gk hedonon) that battle within you?” v. 1. James identifies the first source of fights and quarrels-desires/pleasure (hedonon). From Strong’s concordance, hedon is defined as “Pleasure, a pleasure, especially sensuous pleasure; a strong desire, passion.” This is a philosophy that views pleasure as the chief goal of life. Because of the overriding desire, a person yields to the evil lusts. “You desire, but do not have, so kill (hate). You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight,” v. 2.

The second source is lack of dependence on God as evidenced in a person’s prayer life or lack of it thereof, v. 2b-3. Lack of prayer means that a person’s focus is not in God but on self, v.2b. It is easy to read self-help books and go for counselling on how to deal with various trials and squabbles instead of praying. On the flip side, a person can use prayer as a means of personal selfish gratification rather than to glorify God, v.3. In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught that prayer is not to arm twist God to play to our tune, but to get God’s will done on earth, Matt 6:10. Friends, if you want to receive the good and perfect gift from God, ask with proper motives.

Solutions for the fights and squabbles, v. 4-17

Having identified the source of the squabbles as the desire for pleasure and lack of dependency on God, James rebukes his readers for spiritual unfaithfulness, v. 4-7. The two competing objects of our affection are the world (evil pleasures and all that’s opposed to God) and God, v.4. By choosing to be a friend of the world you become an enemy of God that is because God is a jealous God, v.5. God demands for your love and total devotion and His grace is greater to help you submit to Him and resist Satan and the lustful appeal of the world and all its pleasures, v. 6-7. In our pursuit for pleasure, we get estranged from God. James makes imperative call for repentance and total dependence on God:

• Come near to God, v. 8a;
• Make your conduct pure and purify your hearts, v.8;
• Grief and mourn, v. 9;
• Be humble before God, v. 10;
• Do not slander, v. 11;
• Do not find-fault and judge others unkindly, harshly and with critical spirit, v.11-12;
• Subject and condition your plans to God’s will, v. 13-17. Do not arrogantly boast and brag about tomorrow and your self-sufficiency. To make plans without considering God’s plan and will is arrogance and evil.

I can’t add anything else. The message is unblemished, if you want to avoid fight and squabbles, apply God’s word in the area of your desires and plans; repent and humbly submit your desires and plans to God’s will.

Faithful Scribbler,

NzakuNashipae