Title: End strife / Proverbs 17:14-23
Verse 14: <The beginning of a quarrel is like a water leaking out of a shaft, so the quarrel must be stopped before the fight arises.>
Just as a small spark burns and quickly turns into a big fire, just as a hole in a small cell collapses the entire room after a while, all strife and strife are the cause of destruction. Therefore, a dispute can be avoided only if the dispute is stopped in advance.
Even if it is a small dispute, it will become a big problem if not prevented in advance. So, as the Korean proverb says, <A needle thief becomes a cow thief>, the root of sin must be uprooted from the root.
Today, remembering these facts, I hope that you will stay away from the elements of conflict and lead a life of peace.
##### 1. Cause of Dispute
1) It starts with selfishness.
In Acts 15, we see how Paul and Barnabas quarreled fiercely as they prepared to go to preach the gospel, and eventually they split up. It is a serious problem that people who are doing God's work have become separated. What could be the cause? In short, it was because of selfishness that only thought of himself.
--However, we can see a different and beautiful aspect of understanding through the Bible. That's Abraham What was Abraham's attitude when he collided with his nephew Lot over property problems?
Genesis 13:8-9..." Abram said to Lot, "We are one flesh. Neither me nor you nor my shepherd nor your shepherd should quarrel with each other. Isn't the whole earth before you? leave me If you are left, I will be right; if you are right, I will be left.
This is exactly what our members need. You must let go of selfishness.
2) Disputes begin with injustice.
Verse 15: “They both justify the wicked and call the righteous evil, for the LORD hates them both.”
It shows the image of an unjust judge. In a world where evil is called righteousness and righteousness is turned into evil, the strife will never stop even for a moment. So wherever righteousness is perverted, there will always be strife.
Therefore, in order to eliminate conflict, injustice must be completely eradicated. In order to avoid contention in the church, injustice must not be tolerated at all.
--Even after seeing injustice < This time, once in a while! > There must be strife and strife there.
What about our church? I hope that we can become a church that does not tolerate injustice.
3) Conflict begins with pride.
Conflict arises when we try to elevate each other.
Text 16...< Fools are ignorant, but why buy wisdom with a price in their hands...
the appearance of arrogance. If we say we're good at each other, wouldn't there be more fights?
##### 2. Healing of Conflict
1) There must be joy.
Verses 21-22...<He who gives birth to fools is grieved, but the father of fools has no pleasure. A happy heart is good medicine, but a troubled heart dries up the bones.
--1 Thessalonians 5:16-18...< Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.>
2) There must be love.
Verse 17: <A friend loves unconditionally, and a brother is born for time of crisis.>
3) And you have to believe it. That is, there should be no doubt.
When we trust each other, we can avoid disputes.
How has the society become a society of distrust these days? No, what about us Christians? Can we trust each other?
--The church has come to an era where doors are locked and locked.
And it is said that the boy told them all and told him to go find change the next time he came up. He said he was too shy to doubt himself. (Hesed P.249)
Let our church and our members live a life of peace without conflict. To that end, I pray in the name of the Lord that we will always find joy in our lives, practice love, and live such a life of no doubt.
( 1995. 6. 28. Samil Night )