WAYne - Almighty Father YHWH, our loving Abba, we come before you tonight/today in prayer through our high Priest and Mediator Yahushua The Messiah
WAYne - Thank You Abba for keeping us safe throughout the week, and for the food we have been blessed with, boith physicle and Spiritual`
WAYne - Thank You for answering our prayers, and the blessing that You bestow upon those that seek Your Ways
WAYne - Thank You for allowing us to come together here tonight, help us Father to strive to out-do each other in Love, to show humility and show kindness to each other
WAYne - Father YHWH Thank You for This Day of rest, allowing us to praise Your Set-Apart Name, please help us keep this Day Set-Apart, as we strive for perfection, and to do Your Will
WAYne - Please Father give the speaker here tonight words of wisdom, and allow us to have ears to hear and eyes to see the message presented tonight/today
WAYne - Almighty EL Let Thy Kingdom Come and Thy will be done, In Yahushua`s Name
WAYne - So let it be!
WAYne - HalleluYAH!
Tonight/today I would like to share a subject I have shared before, but I believe it is important enough to be heard by those of you who have not heard it.
It is dealing with a 'hidden' sin
A sin often hidden within the walls of a home
It is the sin of "Strife"
Strife is everywhere in this day and age. On the television, on the radio, in the congregation, on forums, chat rooms, emails, newsgroups, and most often in the home
The following study is to examine what strife is, the causes of it and how to avoid it.
Proverbs 16:32 - He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.First of all, let's take a look at what 'strife' is. According to Webster's Dictionary, Strife means "1. Exertion or contention with another; competition. 2. Contest; struggle; quarrel"
These definitions fit well with the Hebrew meanings of the word. But what does scripture say that strife is?
We see one example of strife as far back as Abraham's day.
Genesis 13:6 - And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
Genesis 13:7 - And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.So we see that there were 2 spiritual brothers, Abram and Lot dwelling together in a land that could not support them
There seemed to be some strife among the herdsmen as a result of this.
I'm sure they strove over who would get the better land, water, etc.
But what is great about this record is what Abraham did to resolve it:
Genesis 13:8 - And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.I love Abraham's reasoning here "For we be brethren".
Abraham took the initiative here. And desired above all things that there would be no strife among brethren, nor even among their herdsmen..even if it meant him taking the lesser part:
Genesis 13:9 - Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Genesis 13:10 - And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before YAHWEH destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of YAHWEH, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Genesis 13:11 - Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.So Abraham, in his righteousness allowed Lot to take the greater part and him the lesser.
In this, I believe that Abraham was blessed. Yahshua said:
Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of YAHWEH.I believe that it is important that we always try to make peace among our brothers and that we will be blessed for doing so
We should realize though, that with some men this is not possible. Let's examine the type of people that stir up strife:
Proverbs 15:18 - A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Proverbs 29:22 - An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Proverbs 30:33 - Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.For a person who is angry a lot, he is likely to have strife in his home and among the brothers he is in contact with.
Often times, they might feel justified their anger by calling it "righteous anger" such as when Yahshua overturned the tables of the moneychangers.
But I think that righteous anger is indeed a rare thing and it is often used as an excuse to be angry.
Proverbs 16:28 - A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.Froward means 'perverse'. Some go around and sow strife wherever they go. Wherever they are, strife is soon to follow. Scripture calls them 'perverse'.
Proverbs 17:19 - He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.Yes, some just love to strive. They like the competition, the fire, the ability to make another look bad.
And make themselves look good
Proverbs 26:1 - As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
Proverbs 26:2 - As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
Proverbs 26:21 - As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Proverbs 28:25 - He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in YAHWEH shall be made fat.I believe this (Pride) is usually the cause of strife. With it also comes the desire to contend and put another down to make themselves look good.
But in Yahweh's eyes, they are evil
Consider what it is like to live with strife:
Proverbs 17:1 - Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.I have witnessed the truth of this scripture
I have seen houses of peace, shalom and love.. yet they were very poor in worldly possessions
And I have seen houses of misery and strife where there was plenty of money
What can we do to avoid strife?
Proverbs 17:14 - The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.Ever tried to stop an inrush of water?
It is very very difficult to stop it once it starts.
Men have built dams hundreds of feet high to stop it
What can be done to stop strife?
Perhaps walk away, run if need be. For scripture says:
Proverbs 20:3 - It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.So it is more honorable to cease from striving than to continue
Any fool can strive
but a wise man with strong character will cease
Proverbs 16:32 - He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 25:28 - He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.Are we as one who takes a city, or one like a city without walls?
If there is strife among others, I think it not wise to join in unless you know that you can bring peace to them.
Proverbs 26:17 - He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.In the home, a major cause of strife I believe is lack of respect for Yahweh's authority:
1Peter 3:1 - Wives, likewise, [be] submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,
1Peter 3:2 - when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
1Peter 3:3 - Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--
1Peter 3:4 - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of YAHWEH.A gentle and quiet spirit is not likely to get into a fight
Especially with the one Yahweh has placed in authority over her
How many would win a fight with their boss at work?
Or strive with Yahweh and overcome Him?
1Peter 3:5 - For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in YAHWEH also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,If a woman disagrees, let her put her trust in Yahweh..just as women of old
1Peter 3:6 - as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him master, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.Do not fear the consequences..trust in Yahweh
Proverbs 21:9 - It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.At the same time, the husband is responsible to Yahweh for loving his wife as Yahushua loves the assembly
Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, just as the Messiah also loved the assemblyand gave Himself for her,A tall order!
Ephesians 5:26 - that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
Ephesians 5:27 - that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.The challenge to walk in the Messiah's steps is before us
The men bear great responsibility.. and will pay for it on judgement day unless repentance is done
Yahweh promises to keep us from strife:
Psalms 31:19 - Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
Psalms 31:20 - Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.Concerning the brethren, there are some who preach the truth just so that they can always win an argument or lift themselves up.
Paul noted these types of men in his day:
Philippians 1:15 - Some indeed preach the Messiah even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Philippians 1:16 - The one preach the Messiah of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
Philippians 1:17 - But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the glad tidings.
Philippians 1:18 - What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, the Messiah is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.HalleluYah! At least it is preached, regardless of the motivation. Yahushua warned of tares among the wheat. However, it is written for us:
Philippians 2:3 - Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.Oh that all would only heed this scripture!
Perhaps there would be no strife at all among brethren!!
When Yahushua comes it will all end
The best that we can do is not participate in their quest, but to humble ourselves and walk away or at least say "Let us not strive, for we are brethren!!"
Romans 13:13 - Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Romans 13:14 - But put ye on Yahushua the Messiah, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.If we as people of Yahweh desire the meat of the word, we will never get it unless we put away strife!
1Corinthians 3:2 - I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Corinthians 3:3 - For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?If one desires to strive at every turn and hurl insults, then how can they be a true teacher of the word from Yahweh?
Those among us who bear His name or are wanting to bear His name must be very careful what choose to say to others.
All the world watches (and Yahweh too) to see the love for one another that Yahshua said would be evident among His disciples.
John 13:35 - By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.We must always remember that all that we write and say is written down for judgement!
Matthew 12:36 - But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.Do we realize the importance of those words spoken by Yahshua?
Do we realize that if our conduct is not blameless that we who wear His name do indeed take His name in vain?
As the proverb says..
Proverbs 30:8\ -
Proverbs 30:8 - Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
Proverbs 30:9 - Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is YAHWEH? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my Elohim in vain.When others see us in sin and strife, it is how they view Yahweh and His people
But those who bear and proclaim His name must walk in righteousness.
When we do not.. people will say "This is the people of Yahweh" and will associate His wonderful name with unrighteousness.
I pray that our searching for the truth can be without vain strife and animosity toward one another. Who owns all the truth?
Certainly not I.
Yes, the one we serve does lead us into all truth IF we are humble and depart from carnal strife!
If we personally berate another for his lack of understanding in our own eyes then surely we are acting as if WE are the wise ones and the OTHER is the fool.
Is this humility? I think no.
When Yahshua spoke to certain disciple, he said:
John 21:15 - So when they had dined, Yahushua saith to Simon Kepha, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Rabbi; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:16 - He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Rabbi; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 - He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Kepha was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Rabbi, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Yahushua saith unto him, Feed my sheep.What did Yahshua mean?
We are the sheep of His pasture. His sheep hear His voice. But a stranger's voice they will not hear.
If we have something to share from the Spirit of Yahweh how will it be presented?
His people are sheep, hungry for His word...needing to be fed. Not intimidated into submission with harsh words and idle threats and STRIFE.. this is a stranger's voice
I believe that Yahushua leads His sheep gently:
Isaiah 40:11 - He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.If we are chosen to feed His sheep, how will we treat them?
Will we..like Him..gather them with our arms gently lead them or will we smite them with our words?
James 3:7 - For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
James 3:8 - But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:9 - With it we bless YAHWEH our Father and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of YAHWEH.
James 3:10 - Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:11 - Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
James 3:12 - Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
James 3:13 - Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct [that] his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
James 3:14 - But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
James 3:15 - This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
James 3:16 - For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
James 3:17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 - Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 4:1 - Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?I encourage all the brothers and sisters to have discretion and understanding toward one another.
Proverbs 19:11 - The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.We need to be longsuffering! The one we serve sure is!
Psalms 145:8 - YAHWEH is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.Are we like Yahshua?
Yahushua takes the beatings and spittings of the enemy for our sakes and then says "Father forgive them".
Do we receive one small ounce of disrespect from a brother and then lash out like we have been slain?
Are we forgetting "The weightier matters of the law?"
Matthew 23:23 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.As Yahshua said...judgement, MERCY and faith are the weightier matters of the law. These we must do, without leaving the others undone.
These are characteristics of Yahushua and we must walk like He walked.
Ephesians 4:1 - I, therefore, the prisoner of Yahushua, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
Ephesians 4:2 - with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
Ephesians 4:3 - endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.When we lack lowliness, gentleness and longsuffering. When we fail to bear with one another in love..then do we truly love our brother?
Are we loving our brother as Yahshua loved us? This was His commandment:
John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13:35 - By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.Yes, can you believe that?
The world won't know that we are His disciples because of how smart we are or how wise and versed we are in scripture.
The world won't know that we are His disciples because of how well we know the Torah or how many college degrees we have in theology and doctrine
The world will know that we are His disciples by our love for one another. Will the innocent bystander find love among us?
I tell you that when I see those lacking in this..I question whether the source is a true disciple of Yahshua for it will be the LOVE for one another that will reveal His disciples.
If we lack this (and I speak for myself also)..we all are treading on very very dangerous ground!!
1John 3:10 - In this the children of YAHWEH and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of YAHWEH, nor is he who does not love his brother.
1John 4:20 - If someone says, "I love YAHWEH," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love YAHWEH whom he has not seen?And for those who might say that the other is your enemy and not your brother then I call on you to "Love your enemies" as Yahshua commanded also.
Matthew 5:44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:45 - That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:46 - For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Matthew 5:47 - And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Matthew 5:48 - Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.This is all about being perfect and blameless before Yahweh. If we cannot love we brother, how can we love our enemy?
And again if we cannot love our brother whom we have seen, how can we love Yahweh whom we have not seen?
Let's avoid the striving:
Titus 3:9 - But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Colossians 3:12 - Put on therefore, as the elect of YAHWEH, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Colossians 3:13 - Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as the Messiah forgave you, so also do ye.It is important that we do not confuse a rebuke with a desire to strive. I think we should consider one another's rebuke even if we disagree totally or view it as an attack.
Psalms 141:5 - Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.and again
Proverbs 9:8 - Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Proverbs 15:32 - He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of YAHWEH is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Proverbs 17:1 - Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
Proverbs 17:10 - A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
Proverbs 19:25 - Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
Proverbs 27:5 - Open rebuke is better than secret love.Sometimes rebuke isn't correct:
Jeremiah 15:15 - O YAHWEH, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.But if it's from our Master, it's ALWAYS correct. I think it wise to always pray when we encounter a rebuke, and do not strive with them. Perhaps another's rebuke (Especially a brother's) IS from Yahweh
Revelation 3:19 - "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.What if Yahweh uses another to rebuke us?
Yahweh used a donkey once, surely He can use our brother!
We must also not confuse strife with Yahweh's desire for us to 'contend' for His will.
Proverbs 28:4 - They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
Jude 1:3 - Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.There is a HUGE difference here. First of all the words translated 'contend' here do not mean to start a fleshly argument or fight, but to stand in disagreement with Yahweh's adversaries, stand for what is clearly right
Being zealous for righteousness is certainly a good thing. But this should be done in meekness and gentleness for the battle is not a battle of the flesh, but of the Spirit.
James 1:19 - So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
James 1:20 - for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of YAHWEH.consider...
Zechariah 4:6 - Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of YAHWEH unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith YAHWEH of hosts.
Zechariah 4:7 - Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Favor, favor unto it.If Yahweh can move a mountain with His Spirit, then He surely doesn't need our red-faced yelling and screaming to accomplish His will and defeat the enemy.
Strife is a work of the FLESH. Not a fruit of the SPIRIT.
Galatians 5:19 - Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of YAHWEH.They "which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Yahweh!" strong words
Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:23 - gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.I pray that all of us would begin to see the importance of having the fruits of the Spirit in every place.
At work, in forums, chat rooms and especially in our own homes.
Surely if we sow to the Spirit of the Spirit we'll reap LIFE (Forever!)
Galatians 6:8 - For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Galatians 6:9 - And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:10 - Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.Let's keep in mind that it is Yahweh's Spirit that convicts one of sin.
It is Yahweh's Spirit that should speak through us...Yahweh's Spirit does not need our fleshly anger to accomplish conviction in the life of any person, whether it be an unbeliever, believer or a member of our own family
May Yahweh lead us all to the unity of faith that Yahushua prayed for
This will take longsuffering, kindness, humbleness, a spirit that is willing to be reproved, willing to hear and willing to make Shalom
May it be so among us, but let us remember where it all starts...
In our homes
Homes of strife become assemblies of strife, which affects everyone
But homes of peace will eventually bear brethren of peace
May Yahweh convict our hearts and unite us in truth, not in error
and may Yahweh bless you all!
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