The Root Cause of Wars and Strife

By:  Dale Weckbacher

James 4:1

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?

(NLT)

If hatred were viewed as a commodity, its dramatic increase in supply in our society since the election of Donald Trump as president would mean its value has diminished.  Unfortunately, the commodity of hatred is unlike commodities in the commodity market, and feeds upon itself until it gets out of control.  Therefore, it is crucial to get control of the anger prevalent in our society before it reaches a point where it is unmanageable. 

In the United States, we are witnessing the bashing of the President, something that occurs with each president, escalate into famous singers threatening to blow up the White House. (1)  Gory videos displaying the severed head of the President are displayed that traumatize the President’s young son.  (2) (3)  While the First Amendment of the United States Constitution extends the right to free speech, that does not include the right to slaughter others and destroy their property.  (4) (5)  This level of hatred must stop but the question we must ask, is how does society stop it? 

These incidents make it appear the fight is against flesh and blood but according to Ephesians 6:12, the source of the battle goes much deeper and is against evil spirits in heavenly places.  James 4:1 also reminds us of the continuing battle every individual has with their flesh.  To solve a problem, we must properly define it.  In this instance, we must determine that the problem is not with the people causing the violence, but with heavenly powers deceiving people, the ones leading them, and the ongoing struggle with the sinful flesh. 

During His temptation, Jesus wrestled not just with the powers of evil spirits but with the Devil himself (Matthew 4:1-11).  Jesus tactic in this spiritual battle is one we all can and should use when we find ourselves in the middle of a spiritual battle, He used the Word of God.  When Jesus overturned the tables in the Temple his disagreement was not personal but against the merchants use of His Father’s house for profit (Matthew 21:12-13).  Jesus knew that it was an evil love for money in the hearts of these people that was behind their actions (1 Timothy6:10). 

In Matthew 16:6 Jesus cautioned his disciples not to eat the yeast of the Pharisees.  Jesus warning was not literal warning them against bread offered by the Pharisees but figurative, a warning against falling for the deceptive teaching of the religious leaders of the time (Matthew 16:7-12).  In Luke 11:37-54, Jesus issued a series of woes against the Pharisees and lawyers regarding their self-righteous arrogant hypocrisy.  While it is easy to sit back and criticize these Pharisees and lawyers for their hypocrisy, in many ways some in the church are equally guilty.  Instead of pointing people to the mercy and grace of God who sent His Only Son to provide eternal life for sinners (John 3:16), something we all are (Romans 3:23), some are quick to point out the speck in the eyes of others while ignoring the plank in their own eye (Matthew 7:1-6).  Instead of preaching at others pointing out their failures, we should let our lives do the talking by showing the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). 

Fortunately, we are not alone or powerless in spiritual battle for God has designed an arsenal of spiritual weapons for us (Ephesians6:13-17).  These weapons are powerful and intended for use against the powers behind the evil in our world.  Each implement of the armor of God battles a weapon of evil,

1)      Belt of Truth – In a world full of deception and lies, truth is needed.  Truth is what sheds light on lies and deception, giving us something firm to hold on to.

2)      Breastplate of Righteousness – Our righteous acts are as filthy rags when compared to the righteousness of God (Isaiah 64:6).  Fortunately, the armor of God supplies us with a breastplate of righteousness from God because of the shed blood of Christ.  This righteousness contradicts the unrighteous evil in our world even though we are all sinners.  It is not our own self-righteousness that makes us right with God but the finished work of Jesus on the cross and the privilege of wearing the breastplate of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

3)      Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – The Gospel is the only thing that can rid people of the evil in their hearts.  Since we have the Gospel with us wherever we go because the Spirit of God dwells in us, we can be a witness in both what we say and how we live wherever we go. 

4)      Shield of faith – Life is full of challenges and problems.  Those without Christ react to these challenges with anger whereas the people of God have the shield of faith allowing them to react in faith and not anger.

5)      Helmet of Salvation – Our salvation is secure due to the finished work of Jesus on the cross.  Unfortunately, the Devil and ourselves have long memories and remember our sinful past.  We also are at war with the flesh within us (James 4:1) and still capable of sin.  The enemy uses these things to beat us over the head causing us to doubt our standing with God.  Thankfully, God provides a helmet to protect us.

6)      Sword of the Spirit – This is the weapon of choice by Jesus during his temptation.  Once God speaks as we speak His Word, the Devil must be quiet.

In a hate dominated world, we must be fruit bearing Christians that lash out against sin with our spiritual arsenal while lovingly inviting sinners to Christ.  I therefore urge everyone reading this to put on the whole armor of God and engage in the spiritual battle against the Devil and the war with the flesh in our lives. 

1. Fox News. Madonna: I've thought a lot about blowing up the White House. video.foxnews.com. [Online] Fox News, July 21, 2017. [Cited: September 23, 2017.] http://video.foxnews.com/v/5291959751001/?#sp=show-clips.

2. TMZ. Secret Service Investigating Gory Trump Photo. www.tmz.com. [Online] TMZ, May 31, 2017. [Cited: September 23, 2017.] http://www.tmz.com/2017/05/31/kathy-griffin-secret-service-investigation-beheading-donald-trump/.

3. Nussbaum, Daniel. Report: Barron Trump 'Panicked' After Seeing Kathy Griffin 'Beheading' Photo. www.breitbart.com. [Online] Breitbart News, May 31, 2017. [Cited: September 23, 2017.] http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2017/05/31/report-barron-trump-panicked-seeing-kathy-griffin-beheading-photo/.

4. Sommer, Taylor Lorenz and Will. Horror and hate in Charlottesville. thehill.com. [Online] The Hill, August 12, 2017. [Cited: September 23, 2017.] http://thehill.com/homenews/news/346359-horror-and-hate-in-charlottesville.

5. Valerie Volcovici, Kenny Bahr. More than 80 arrested as riot police break up St. Louis protest over officer's acquittal. www.reuters.com. [Online] Reuters, September 15, 2017. [Cited: September 23, 2017.] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-missouri-crime/more-than-80-arrested-as-riot-police-break-up-st-louis-protest-over-officers-acquittal-idUSKCN1BQ161.