4TH JUNE, 2024
PASTOR OLUBI JOHNSON
AVOIDING STRIFE
2Timothy 2:23-26 KJV
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
We are living in perilous times (2Tim. 3:1-5), so we need divine protection from Satanic attacks to live long and well enough to fulfill our destiny.
Therefore, we must avoid strife, so we will not be taken captive by the devil.
When you are in strife, you are in Satan’s trap and he, by spiritual forces in the air, through your soul and body (Eph. 2:2-3), forces you to do his will so he can destroy you at any time.
Therefore, we avoid strife by controlling our tongues and temper, by the power of the Holy Spirit:
By keeping the commandment of life and love by the Blood (1Jn. 1:9), the Word (1Jn. 2:5) and the Spirit (1Jn. 4:12-13) at least once every six hours (Mk. 13:35) and at every opportunity and by this, in every temptation with our thoughts and actions. In other words: watch and pray always (Matt. 26:41)!
As we do this, we will have the wisdom and power to do the following:
Proverbs 20:3 KJV
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.Proverbs 17:14 KJV
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
Normally, what is best is open rebuke AND secret love: which is remitting the persons sin (Jn. 20:23) and asking life for them (1Jn. 5:16), even without them knowing (that is why it is secret: Prov. 27:5).
However, for a scorner, who will quarrel with you when you rebuke him, just do secret love alone because:
Proverbs 9:7-8 KJV
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
As we practice these things, we will avoid strife and enjoy full divine protection in these perilous times!
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