Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Conflict”
Our Bible verse for today: “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” Ephesians 6:12 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Conflict is of the devil”
As I’ve noted in a previous devotional message, sometimes conflict is necessary. But even in those cases where it is necessary, it’s necessary because someone is acting in an inappropriate and sinful way. All conflict is from Satan. The very first conflict originated with the angel Lucifer when he chose to rebel against God, was cast out of heaven and became the devil. He has been inciting conflict among humans ever since.
Conflict was not part of God’s original plan for the human race. It came about as the result of sin. Therefore any time conflict exists, sin is present. This is what Paul was reminding us of in Ephesians 6:12. Our battle is really against Satan and the spiritual forces of evil which he commands. At its root demonic inspiration is where it begins and that’s what keeps it going.
This is why in 1 Peter 5:8 the Apostle warns us to be on our guard because our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking to see who he can devour. Make no mistake, Satan is our enemy. Yes he is out to get us, and yes he will create conflict among us if we allow him to.
There are way too many passages of scripture in both the Old and New Testaments which speak of God’s desire for His people to live in peace, for us to miss the point that conflict is something we need to strive to avoid if at all possible. If we look at Galatians 5:22-23, which lists for us the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control), we realize there is no room for conflict there. If the Spirit rules and reigns in the lives of everyone on both sides of the issue, there will be no conflict. It is only when Satan is allowed into the situation that conflict arises.
Conflict is of the devil. If we choose to, we can refuse to allow him to sow seeds of dissension into our relationships. James made that pretty clear when he wrote, “Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (HCSB)
Resist the devil and he will be able to have no influence in our relationships. Submit to God and it will be His Holy Spirit who rules and reigns in our lives. When that is the case there will be no conflict because conflict is of the devil, but the Spirit inspires love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 