According to The Bible, Strife is selfish ambition. That, in itself, makes for another blog.

But today, we will only review the various passages where The Bible addresses Strife, its detrimental effects on individuals and communities, including life suggestions.

The Bible gives the following as root causes of Strife.

Hatred, wrath (hot-temper), pride, scorn, talebearing, carnality, unhealthy competition (or comparisons), froward

And here are the key verses:

• “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
• “Hatred stirreth up strifes: But love covereth all sins.” (Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
• “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. (Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
• “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than an house full of sacrifices with strife.” (Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
• “The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.” ‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV) ‬‬
• “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” (Proverbs 17:14 NIV)
• “He loveth transgression that loveth strife: And he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.” (Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
• “It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: But every fool will be meddling.” (Proverbs‬ ‭20‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV)‬‬
• “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; Yea, strife and reproach shall cease.” (Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV)‬‬
• “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.” (Proverbs‬ ‭26‬:‭17‬ ‭KJV)‬‬
• “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” (Proverbs‬ ‭26‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV)‬‬
• “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife.” (Proverbs‬ ‭26‬:‭21‬ ‭KJV)‬‬
• “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: But he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.” (Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
• “An angry man stirreth up strife, And a furious man aboundeth in transgression. (Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
• “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; … strife, …: 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 ‭KJV‬‬)
• “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” (2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
• “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,” (2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬ ‭KJV)‬‬
• “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭KJV)‬‬
• “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:16 NIV)
• “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.” (James‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
• “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” (Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭24‬ ‭KJV)‬‬
• “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬)
• “A froward man soweth strife: And a whisperer separateth chief friends.” (Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭28‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

The above verses emphasize the importance of avoiding strife, maintaining patience, and seeking peace within relationships.

Six things God hates

God hates the root causes of Strife and admonishes us to avoid it at all cost.

• “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 ‭KJV‬‬)
• “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” (Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

Conclusion

There we have it; all scripture to help us be better people. If the conscience is not seared, the heart will always convict us when we fall into any of these root causes. We simply need to repent (be sorry about our action) and be intentionally on guard not to repeat it.

God is love.