INTRODUCTION

In the Christian warfare, there are times where strife is right and necessary. There are things for which preachers, teachers, moms and dads, and young people need to take stands even if it brings about conflict. These stands are only to be taken in times where the stand is good and profitable unto men (Titus 3:8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
See All...). Unfortunately, much of the conflict that takes place today falls under a different category. It often stems from "foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law" and these strivings "are unprofitable and vain" (Titus 3:9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
See All...). Before entering into conflict, the believer should question the possible profit gained in such a battle.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Arguing over what kind of fruit Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is foolish because the Bible doesn't say what it was. It is more important to know that they were warned by God, they were disobedient, and their disobedience was punished (Genesis 2:17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
  See All..., Genesis 3:16-19 [16] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. [17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; [18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
  See All...).
• What kind of strife do you find yourself in with other believers? Does it profit either party to be correct? Will it harm either party to be wrong?
• What issues are most important to you? For which ones are you willing to contend? How crucial are these issues in the word of God? Are they worth splitting with other believers?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you strive when there is true profit.
• Ask the Lord for wisdom in knowing when to strive.

HYMN

Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

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