By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
James 4:1-2 "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God."
We live in a conflict filled world at all levels of human interaction. Because we are different in thought, perception, desires and decisions, no people are always thinking exactly the same way all the time. When such differences are not harmonised, it creates tension which may lead to quarrels and fights. But the Bible teaches, and its God’s will, that people live in harmony in their diversity, but upheld by God’s kingdom principles.
James attributes quarrels and fights among us to unmet desires battling within. When people fail to properly manage them and seek, on their own, to meet these needs and fail, they become angry, jealousy, covet, steal and attempt to grab from those who have. Then they quarrel and fight. They blame others for their predicaments.
The scripture says we do not have because we do not ask God. God is willing to meet our needs, but wants us to ask Him. And when we ask, we should use them according to His will, not according to our pleasures. Likewise, when we don’t have them yet, we should be thankful for what we have or expecting. This reduces the negative feelings which fuel quarrels and fights. Then we shall live peacefully and avoid conflicts.
Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
Shalom children of God.
