Why is strife a sin?
Strife is a very serious sin. It is one of the seven deadly sins mentioned in Proverbs, and it is an abomination (hateful) to God. "One who causes strife between brothers" (6.19) is an abomination to God, and if he does not repent he will be punished (Proverbs 3.11-12). It is also listed as one of the fifteen deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5.19-21).
The five sins listed after "strife" spring forth from strife: jealousy, anger, contentions, divisions and sects. It is found in the list that Paul made in his second letter to the Corinthians (12.20) and it was the subject of the first chapter of his first letter to them (1.10-15). It was a major sin of the Corinthians (1 Corinthian 3.3).
Strife is rampant in most churches and it can be found in every church. It destroys friendships, families and splits churches. It is something that the pastors of a church must never allow to raise its ugly head. When it does, the individuals causing the strife must be dealt with or removed from the church.
Strife between a couple, in a family, among neighbors, in a church, in a group, in an organization, in a company, in a corporation, in a nation and between nations is common throughout the world. People fight with each other endlessly due to pride (Proverbs 28.25)!
Pride is the first sin that all other sins spring from. The first sin committed in the universe was pride. The highest-ranking angel, Lucifer, came to believe he was equal to God and wanted to be worshipped as He was by the other angels (Isaiah 14.14). He led a rebellion and when he was defeated he interfered in the lives of Adam and Eve tempting Eve to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 3.1-7).
Once Eve and Adam ate from that tree sin entered the Adamic Race. Ever since then the history of the Adamic Race has been marred by strife between individuals, families, groups, states and nations. The only way to reduce strife, wherever it may be found, is through humility – the opposite of pride.
It is the responsibility of each individual to eliminate strife by not striving. It takes two to tangle. If there is strife among a couple or friends one must submit or give in – stop seeking one's own will. In groups, churches, states and nations it is much more complex but strife can be eliminated through humility. It is up to everyone to "humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you" (James 4.10).
Each of us must "be submissive to one another, and be humility clothed in humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5.5b-6).
