October 30, 2019 DCLM Daily Manna Devotional : TOPIC – REMEDY FOR CONFLICTS
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DAILY MANNA
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30, 2019
TOPIC – REMEDY FOR CONFLICTS
TEXT: James 4:1-17
KEY VERSE:
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” – (James 4:8).
There are seven situations that form the root cause of conflicts. These are people having opposing agenda; people having something that the other person needs but does not have; when there are personality conflicts between individuals, when there is a significant change in the relationship equilibrium between individuals, when there is betrayal of trust between individuals, when there is thoughtless and irresponsible behavior of an individual and when the needs of certain groups or individuals are not met.
The passage today puts lust at the very center of man’s conflict and wars. This lust leads to all evil works: murder, fight, war, worldliness, pride and enmity with God. Grace is available from God as remedy and the path to obtain and utilise this grace is spelt out for us. There must be humility towards God and a desire for Him as a Refuge. There must also be genuine and heartfelt repentance resulting in clean hands and purified hearts. We must resist the tempter and not judge or speak evil against fellow brethren.
Self, if not dealt with, will continue to be the centre-piece of mans conflicts and problems. Selfish goals lead to lust, envy, fighting and quarrelling. As people get lost in their selfish pursuits, they become opposed to God and man. The word of God likens them to adulterers and adulteresses who, out of the desire to please self, act in defiance to their family and friends. Our lifetime motto must be: Jesus first, others second and yourself last.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Let self die and let peace reign.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Jeremiah 25-27