What Does Strife Mean in The Bible
The meaning of strife in the Bible comes to life in the lives of millions of believers around the world. In Scriptures from both the Old and the New Testaments, strife is seen as a major disruptor of peace and a destroyer of relationships. Strife is a kind of bitter antagonism, a merciless competition, and the intentional tearing apart of relationships.
The most famous example of this kind of conflict comes in the story of David and Saul in both the Old testament and New Testament. In the Bible, Saul is the first king of Israel and David’s predecessor. In the account of their story, Saul is filled with envy, hatred and a burning desire for power and control. He continually plots against David and seeks to undermine his success and accomplishment. This sets the stage for a heartbreaking cycle of revenge and counter-revenge. Saul’s jealousy of David and the resulting friction between them escalates until it reaches all-out war between the two, with each seeking to destroy the other.
In the larger context of the Bible, the story of Saul and David serves as a lesson in the destructive power of strife and its potential to tear apart even the strongest of relationships. Scholars have noted that the Bible emphasizes that strife is not to be taken lightly or ignored but rather addressed head on and rejected, as this is the only way to restore peace in the world.
Moreover, the words of Jesus, the ultimate King of justice and peace, tell us that strife is to be avoided at all costs. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:25-26), He says: “Agree with your adversary quickly, before you go to court with him. Otherwise, if you go to court, he might deliver you to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the jailer, and you will be thrown into prison.” In this teaching, Jesus emphasizes the importance of resolving conflicts with others quickly and peacefully before they have the chance to escalate into more serious issues. The goal of Christians should be for love and peace to prevail over fighting and hostility.
In the end, the true meaning of strife in the Bible is a warning to believers that peace is sacred and something to be protected at all costs. It is an admonition to be quick to strive for harmony in relationships instead of allowing any kind of bitterness to take root. If we are to have any hope of enjoying true peace, we must reject strife and embrace the loving ways of Jesus.
Why is Strife so Significant in the Bible?
Strife is a recurring theme in the Bible and a major point of discussion throughout its teachings. While it is never specifically defined, the Bible mentions strife throughout its many books and provides us with many warning against it. As such, it is clear that strife is a notion which is highly significant in the Bible, representing something that should be actively avoided and resisted.
The book of Proverbs is one example of Scriptural references to strife, with passages such as “A man of strife stirs up contention” (Proverbs 15:18), and “The beginning of strife is like releasing water” (Proverbs 17:14) further emphasizing the importance of peace in our lives and the need to guard against strife. The book of James also speaks about the same topic, with passage such as “What causes quarrels and what causes fightings among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you” (James 4:1) which calls us to reflect on the inner sources of contentiousness.
The bible’s emphasis on avoiding strife and safeguarding our relationships can be seen in the teachings of Jesus too. When faced with potential conflict in the parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) Jesus encourages us to be quick to forgive and pursue reconciliation with our enemies. Whether we are faced with angry conflicts or harsh words, Jesus calls us to be merciful and humble in the way in which we interact with those around us, so as to protect peace.
Thus, from the perspective of Scripture, strife is seen as something deeply damaging and extremely serious. Strife breaks up relationships which were meant for peace and leads to more serious and far reaching repercussions. It is for this reason that the Bible provides us with so many warnings and admonitions against it.
How Can Strife in the Bible Help Us Today?
In spite of being thousands of years old, the Bible continues to speak to us in relevant and transformative ways. In the case of strife, the Bible offers valuable insight which can be used to shape our society today. In our era of increasing conflict, the words of Scripture point us back to what truly matters and help us to reflect on the deeper causes of contention.
In looking at the Bible’s call to avoid strife, we can come to observe that much of conflict is driven by human passions, selfishness and pride. In the words of James 4:1, disputes are born from warring desires and from the wrong kinds of ambitions. By understanding the spiritual addiction at the heart of quarrels, we can work to reduce and resolve these conflicts more effectively.
Furthermore, Jesus’ teachings also provide us with a pathway to building and sustaining healthier relationships. If we can learn to look beyond the surface level of our disagreements than we can find reconciliation through his way of love. The way of Jesus is not just about avoiding strife, but creating a space of shalom, of peace and love, in our relationships.
As Jesus depicts in his parable, we are all at risk of straying away from peace and engaging in destructive strife. But by making use of the Bible’s wisdom on the subject we can learn to cultivate a better sense of harmony within our world. The Bible’s teachings on strife can help us to live in more meaningful and peaceful ways.
What Else Can We Learn from Strife in the Bible?
The Bible’s warnings against strife offer us much more than just advice on how to interact with others. By looking into what the Bible has to say about it, we can also gain insight into more deep hearted lessons about strife and peace.
Avoiding strife and creating peace means more than just getting along with our friends and family. It is also about actively cultivating inner peace and looking to build a better sense of unity within our own being. Strife within the heart is at least as destructive as any physical or verbal strife, and it is only though prayer, guidance, and humility that we can hope to achieve the inner peace which we all desire.
The Bible also tells us that we have the power to influence the peace of the world around us. In the parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus speaks of our ability to choice peace with our enemies. If we are willing to forgive and reconcile with those who have wronged us, then we can begin to create a world where relationships are born out of love and order, instead of from anger and resentment.
Ultimately, although strife is seen as something highly discouraged in the Bible, it can ultimately be used as a tool of transformation. When we set out to learn from the Bible and live out its teachings, it is possible for us to find peace even in the midst of the most intense conflicts. If we are willing to take responsibility for our part in causing strife and to actively seek peace and reconciliation, then we can create a better world for us all.
The Role of Strife in Society Today
Given the prevalence of strife in world and politics today, it is evident that the Bible’s warnings and instructions on the matter still carry a great weight of relevance. Strife has the potential to cause deep wounds in our relationships and to lead to even more significant deaths and destruction.
Before we allow any kind of bitter animosity to take hold, we should make it our aim to actively seek out peace. In looking at the world around us, we can see how a lack of conflict resolution has contributed to some of the worst acts of violence in history. Wars between countries, terror attacks, and other kinds of genocide all to stand as testimonies to the fact that strife can lead quickly to destruction.
It is for this reason that the Bible’s call to peace is so highly relevant. If we want to live in a more harmonious society, then it is up to us to join the cause of righteousness and embrace the principles of peace. In whatever our circumstance, strife can become a thing of the past if only we are willing to reject it and replace it with the ways of Jesus.
Conclusion: The Significance of Strife in the Bible
The Bible’s advice on strife is as relevant now as it has ever been. Strife is a serious issue, one which has the potential to cause deep destruction and ruin the peace of our world. At the same time, it is an issue which lies at the root of many of global issues in our world today. If we are to find any kind of peace in this world, then it is crucial that we actively seek it and work to resolve our conflicts in healthier and more meaningful ways. In the Bible, we find a timeless source of wisdom to help us do just that.
