Internal Explosions "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:1-3)
I know you are thinking that this Post-Article is about church bombings. But what I would like to address is the constant conflict that goes on between the members of the body of Christ. I am going to speak on behalf of all the pastors out there (being one for almost 50 years) internal conflict is one of the most discouraging experiences in a Pastor's career.
In our text, James speaks to fellow Christians about the inner conflict, and the inner explosions, that take place within the Christian community. According to James, inner conflict begins, and inner explosions occur when our desires battle within us. Are they selfish desires? I would say so. Instead of looking out for the interests, and well being of others; we are looking out for the interests of ourselves. Because we don't get what we want, we fight and quarrel, and go to the extreme and kill. My question with James is: Did this actually happen in his time? Does it happen in our churches today?
With strong selfish desires, it is very possible.
With strong selfish desires, it is very possible.
Along with this, James adds, that when we ask God concerning our affairs, we ask with wrong motives. We ask that our selfish ambitions, and undertakings, be in line with what our will is for our lives, instead of what God's will is. And more than not, it is on how we can achieve those things that bring pleasure to our lives, instead of blessings for others.
Internal conflict is everywhere. Internal explosions occur, and then leadership is left to pick up the pieces, and try to get things back on track with the will of God. But the solution lies with leadership, as they are to be constantly among the people of God, to squash these attitudes and actions of selfish desire.
As God's people, we are to set an example for the world. Instead we have allowed the world into the church. And it's not always the large issues that divide us, but the pettiness, that gnaws at our unity, every time we gather together.
In closing, here is a question for us:
"How can we teach all nations, if we haven't learned the lesson at home?" GP
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