Check Your Heart

Interpersonal conflict is a result of an inner turmoil.

Pride is the root of contention.

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.Proverbs 13:10

Humility squashes discord.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.Philippians 2:3

Strife is an indication of carnality, not spirituality.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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 God.Galatians 5:19-21

Christians should place a high priority on peace and longsuffering.

God is disgusted by those who sow discord.

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.Proverbs 6:16-19

There are some people who sow strife. Just do your best.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.Romans 12:18

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.Psalm 34:14

To chase after the things of this world, we must abandon godly wisdom and be led by our selfish desire.

Any attempt to be satisfied by the things of this world will prove futile.

Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.Haggai 1:6

And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.Psalm 106:15

We have made a serious error when pleasure becomes the overriding desire of our lives. We will stop at nothing to get it.

God will give us what we need, and many times what we want, but He is not an idol-giver to satisfy our idolatry.

When we pray, we must check our motives.

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:Psalm 66:18

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.Proverbs 15:8

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:Isaiah 29:13

As Christians, we must crave the glory of God in the same way the world craves pleasure.