"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?" -James 4:1
It is easy to place the blame upon another when we feel provoked into a quarrel. Fighting occurs because of some offense between individuals. There is a need to defend our rights. This is a logical conclusion for a culture that is narcissistic. The question remains from the word of God, " What causes fights among you?". The answer is that we are at war within ourselves. Envy, anger, pride, jealousy, and self-righteousness are in our hearts. That no one else has put there; it exists because we are sinners. Even though we have been born again, the old nature is at war with us. Another person can provoke what is already within us, but this is what we must die for at the end of chapter three of this same letter. James describes a heavenly wisdom that comes from above that is "peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." This wisdom needs to govern our hearts. When our spirit resists the Spirit of God, we are easily provoked and susceptible to fits of rage. The more we are at peace with God in our hearts, the more we are at peace with others and pursue a peaceful lifestyle. The wisdom of God enables us not to quarrel or fight with others. If we fall to this sin, the humble heart is easily entreated because it knows the forgiveness of God in our own life. Beloved, prayerfully pursue the wisdom from above, and through the mercy of the Lord, be open to reason with one another.
In Christ Alone,
Pastor Wight
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