Reg Killingley, addressing the topic of conflict, suggests that the news appears to contain little else than conflict and strife, motivated by competitive interests. Conflict and competitive strife seem to be an inherent trait of human nature, from our parents in the Garden of Eden to the present generation.  David, a man after God's own heart, had considerable conflict in his family. We realize that conflict exists in our own family and in the greater Church of God. Conflict emerged in the ranks of Jesus' own disciples. Jesus had to impress upon these contentious men the need for selfless servant leadership rather than selfish tyrannical leadership so apparent among the Gentiles. There is certain necessary conflict in which we are mandated to overcome evil (or experience victory over) in our human nature and the influence of the world. We dare not compromise or co-exist with this evil emanating from the evil one. The most difficult battlefront is our own human nature as Paul graphically portrays in Romans 7, illustrating the devastating pulls of the flesh, conquerable only by the help of Jesus Christ. Lust for wealth and power motivates most of the unnecessary conflict going on in the church as well as the world. The desire to control other people, making them dependent upon them, is corrosively and perniciously abusive. Barnabus and Abraham both provided sterling scriptural examples of resolving conflict among brethren and family. We need to understand that we could be the source of conflict, and then resolve to seek peace.

Acts 15:36 * Cain and Abel * Cassius Clay * Competitive * Conflict inherent in the human condition * Conflict within ourselves * Conflict * Control freak * 'Exclusive' rights * David * Death * Defeating the enemy * Desire to be apostle * Disease * Diotrophes * Envy * Fighting * I Corinthians 15:54 * I John 2:15-17 * Friendship with the world * "Growing" a church * Honest conflict * Humility * Incompatibility * James 4:1-4 * Loving the world * Luke 9:46; 22:21 * Mark 9:38-40 * Mohammed Ali * Necessary conflict * Nike * Opposition * Paul and Barnabus * Praying from wrong motives * Resolving conflict * Revelation 3:17-21 * Romans 7 * Rough edges * Satan * Selfishness * Serpent * Sin * Smell of manure * South Carolina * III John 3:10 * Republican primary * Tithing and contributions * Unnecessary conflict * War * Wealth and power * Victory * Which is the greatest?