The War Within

Posted on July 15, 2015 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

The War Within

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war Within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. (James 4:1-2 ESV)

I love the way the book of James doesn’t sugarcoat the root of issues. It is very practical and challenging. For me, it is my spiritual guide for practical living.

These verses exposes where the source of my conflict derives. My actions directly reflect my personal desires. This is the type of insight that challenges my heart to understand that there is a battle raging between my desires and God’s purpose for my life. It’s not the outside circumstances or the people as I supposed. My thinking, my perception; skews situations to the point of irrational assessments. The conflicts are Within.

Example: Traffic jams or city traffic in general pushes my buttons to the point of no return. I have had conversations with other drivers and cars. I say things that are not edifying or think things that don’t bring God the glory. Why are these drivers doing the speed limit, we all know the 5 mile grace period.

I have spoken with officers, there is no 5-mile grace, and the problem is not with other drivers. The problem is me, and everyone is interrupting the kingdom of me. Where I have to go, what I have to do is more important, at that moment, than anyone else’s priorities. The inner selfishness wages war with the spirit of God Within me.

Here is a challenge, next time you are in a conflict that angers you; first try to discover if it is because you didn’t get your way. Or if you are like me, I realize I don’t trust God enough that He works everything out for my good, and His glory. Wake up; it is not everything and everybody else. It is the War Within. Be a Blessing! – Chaplain Juan Mendez serves full-time at America’s Keswick and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. You can email him at jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 13-15; Acts 11

Think About This: To pray is to accept that we are, and always will be, wholly dependent on God for everything. —Tim Keller

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation! 2 Samuel 22:47