oldpulley1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?

Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?  You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
(James 4:1-2 ESV)

Unfortunately as Christians we aren't perfect, yet. Because of this, we tend to fight and argue on a seemingly daily basis (many times stupid things). Those who don't want anything to do with the church will bring this up and rub it in our face. They have a hard time seeing Jesus or the church as loving when the people who are a part of it don't even get along. We aren't known by our love as Jesus said we should be (John 13:35).

We should each read James 4:1-2 humbly to see why we are fighting. The reason we fight is because of the warring passions inside of us. It is our desires that are causing the problems. Instead of blaming somebody else for starting the fight, look inside yourself and see if it is you who is really the problem. It can be hard to admit our pridefulness. It isn't easy for anyone.  If we do this more, we will stop worrying about ourselves so often and love each other more as true disciples of Jesus.

Examine your motive for a recent dispute with another Christian.

Reflections to Consider

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Publications

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Music

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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Prayer - Does it Make Any Difference, Philip Yancey +

    Contemporary classic that probes the meaning of prayer for 21st century believers, and provides extended, personal anecdotes from a wide Read More
  • Blog of the Week: Mister Noah's Neighborhood: Philip Yancey blog +

    Below is a wonderful blog by Philip Yancey--see the link at the end of the posting. Mister Noah's Neighborhood Posted Read More
  • Why Not Give the Christians a Chance: Philip Yancey on prison ministries +

    Below is an excerpt from a recent blog post by Philip Yancey--a thoughtful examination of prison ministries.The link to the Read More
  • The Winter Season of Faith: Philip Yancey's blog +

    The following is taken from Philip Yancey's blog. A link to his website is at the end of this excerpt. Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Transforming this World: The Hope of Glory by NT Wright +

    Wright confronts the perspective that this world doesn’t matter, and that we live only to be in heaven. He shows Read More
  • What is Good in a World that Defies Hope: a talk by NT Wright +

    This is the second part of three talks by NT Wright at Harvard University in November, 2008 on the topic Read More
  • The Stream, the Lake and the River: NT Wright +

      Acts 2.1-21; John 7.37-39; a sermon at the Eucharist on the Feast of Pentecost, 11 May 2008, by the Read More
  • Jesus in the Perfect Storm by NT Wright +

    Zechariah 9.9-17; Luke 19.28-48; A sermon for Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, In the University Chapel of St Salvator, St Read More
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