The most powerful environment for us is God’s Presence. It is our life, security, stronghold, joy and peace. In the same way a fish needs water to live and thrive, we need God’s Presence to live and thrive in this world. Psalm 31:20 says: “You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues”. God’s Presence effectively hides us from the enemy’s attacks. This verse does not deny that evil men will attempt to plot our destruction. It does not deny that tongues will attempt to foment strife against us. But it does say that God will hide us in the secret place of His Presence. The enemy cannot enter that atmosphere. James 4:7 confirms that when we submit to God, we can successfully resist the devil and he will flee from us. Cultivate God’s Presence every day in times of worship, praise, prayer and meditating in His word! This is part of your mighty weapons of warfare!
This is what will stop contentions!
There is much debate in this nation as to how words can stir up anger, hatred and strife. This is such a powerful truth. Proverbs 15:18 (AMP) says: “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.” Another version (AMPC) says: “he who is slow to anger appeases contention”. When we let anger take over our mental and emotional states, it removes the logical and common sense filters that allow us to “think before speaking or acting”. We then go on a word or action tirade, and once it’s finished, the damage is done. We have probably hurt others with our words or actions, and might even have destroyed relationships. In some cases, people can lose their job, their spouse, a friend, and in some cases, even land in jail for hurting or even killing someone in a fit of rage. Ephesians 4:26 (EHV) says:“ Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”. It’s not a sin to be angry. What is a sin is if you allow your anger to control your actions, thoughts and decisions, thus causing you to do things that are sinful in nature. Anger can be used constructively. You can break a bad habit if you get angry enough to begin the process of breaking the habit. In many cases, people will not do anything about a problem until they have had it and they can’t take it any more. Anger is a good servant but a bad master. So instead of immediately giving in to anger, be slow to anger. Let patience have it’s work in the midst of the challenges of life. In doing so, you will be known as the person who can appease or calm potentially dangerous contentions and disputes. This way, issues will be resolved instead of relationships being destroyed. God is the God of peace, not of dissension and contention! We are His people, so let’s flow with His nature!
