Category Archives: Arguing

Bible, Scripture, Peace, Fighting, Harmony, Devil, Affliction, Battles, Arguing, Emotions

THE DANGER OF INFIGHTING (BLOG #3000)

GALATIANS 4:29

“But as at that time the son who was born according to the flesh persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, so it is even now.”

Being teased and picked on is no fun. I never had much problem with that as a child because I was a big kid. But like everybody, there have been times when I was teased or made fun of by someone because of something I said or did. We see it all the time, especially with middle schoolers. They can be the worst. Everyone and anything is open for this among them.

In today’s verse, Paul is referring to Ishmael’s treatment of Isaac which is mentioned back in Genesis 21:9. “Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking Isaac.” You know the rest of the story – Sarah begged Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away, which he did. The angel appeared to Hagar in the desert as they were dying of thirst and gave them water to drink. Ishmael’s teasing of Isaac resulted in them being expelled from Abraham’s family, resulting in turmoil for generations.

APPLICATION

Okay, so we have one brother teasing his half-brother. Big deal, right? It is a big deal. Abraham and Sarah’s disobedience of using Hagar to birth a son to them resulted in this sibling rivalry that continues even until today in the Middle East. In the same way, infighting and jealousy among believers can do the same.

Paul told the Ephesians to behave themselves in Ephesians 4:1-6. “1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Peter also talked about the importance of unity in 1 Peter 2:1-3. “1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” 

We have to present a united front as believers. Why? Because the evil one will use our pettiness and teasing to tear us apart. He wants us out of the fight and will use us against each other to achieve that. Don’t let that happen on your watch. Love one another.

Father, I am grateful for Your unconditional love. Help me show the same to my fellow believers.

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Agreement, Anger, Arguing, Bible, Bitterness, Choices, Disciplemaking, Following, God's Will, Obedience, Scripture, Submission, Surrender

ARGUING WITH GOD

JONAH 4:9

“But God said to Jonah, ‘Do you have a good reason to be angry about the plant?’ And he said, ‘I have good reason to be angry, even to the point of death!’”

I have met people who just like to argue. It does not matter what it is about. They just like to argue – the weather, politics, religion, the taste of sweet tea (lol). Some things are worth arguing about. Maybe I should change “argue” to “discuss” here. Either way, some things merit a conversation, but one thing is for sure – you cannot out argue God.

Look at today’s verse again. Jonah is actually arguing with God about his right to be angry. We discussed anger earlier, but here Jonah is once again stating his right to God to be angry about what He has done. Let me ask you a question. Do you think Jonah is going to win this argument? Of course, not. But he has every right to speak up. God is big enough to handle it.

APPLICATION

I agree that we need to learn to submit our wills to His will. There really is not another way to live the Christian life successfully. However, God knows us better than we do. He knows when we question His will what our motive(s) is(are). So, it is okay to “argue” with God, as long as you do not think you are going to win.

We have to keep in mind that His thoughts are way above our thoughts. He sees our life, past, present and future. He could tell us what is coming if He chose to do so. Most of the time, He does not. That means we have to trust Him, even if we disagree with Him. God’s feelings are not hurt by our questions. He is big enough to handle anything we throw at Him.

I am sure you can think of something right now that you would have chosen to handle a different way. I would have chosen to learn about the eternal things of God without going through my last stem cell transplant. But God chose that to teach me. Did I like it? Did I argue a little with God? Yep, sure did. In the end, I submitted to His will. How about you?

Lord, I do not always agree with You, but I know You are right. Help me trust You from the beginning.

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