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June 23, 2008 - Contentious People

The more our culture moves away from the biblical principles that originally defined our country - the more we have to deal with contentious people. Webster defines contentious as:

1. likely to cause contention 〈a contentious argument〉
2. exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes.

In 1 Timothy 3 we find a list of behaviors consistent with a mature Christian.  God’s word tells us not to be “quarrelsome or ready to fight” - contentious.  The hectic pace of our world and the constant influence of negative media tend to create frustration among many.  Too often this frustration boils over into being contentious.  Christians expecting there to be Heaven on this earth are greatly disappointed with the unfairness life brings.

Yes, even in ministry we must deal with the occasional contentious person.  When dealing with people like this, I think of how David dealt with the unwarranted hostility of King Saul.  In 1 Samuel we read about the unrelenting and unjustified hatred Saul had against David.  Time and time again, David sought the Lord’s comfort and wisdom to deal with the eminent anger and threats he faced. He was ever so patient and forgiving of Saul.

Are you contentious, easily troubled about trifles? “Oh, but no one who is a Christian ever is!” Paul says we all have the potential to be contentious. He connects this attitude with carnality.  Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens irritability in us? That is a proof that we are yet carnal.

Paul reminds us to “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”; and carnality will disappear.  Our conflict with people who show rage, uncontrollable anger, and deception is understandable and predictable.  If we are trying to walk in the Spirit and we have to deal with those who are contentious and can only see the potential for conflict – we are to remove ourselves from their presence.

God’s word reminds us to take the high road and leave the evil men alone.  "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out." Proverbs 24:17-20 (NIV)

If the Spirit of God detects anything in us that is wrong, He does not ask us to put it right; He asks us to accept the light, and He will put it right. A child of the light confesses instantly and stands bared before God; a child of the darkness says—‘Oh, I can explain that away.’ When once the light breaks and the conviction of wrong comes, let us be a child of the light, and confess, and God will deal with what is wrong; if we vindicate ourselves, we prove ourselves to be children of the darkness.

Remember, our anger and revenge only gives a foothold to the devil.  Keep the faith my friends.  Let’s pray for the contentious people in our lives.