At War?

The Same Spirit at Work

Jon Walker

“For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:18 NIV)

A time long ago and in a land far away, I found myself frustrated one day with a co-worker. Actually, frustrated is a mild word because, as my sweet southern aunts might say, I perceived this co-worker as contrary.

Just to be clear: I’m no choirboy, either.

In a Cold War sense, there were fights and quarrels between us, both wanting something, but neither one of us able to get it. Jesus’ brother, James, says this sort of conflict is evidence of ungodly desires (James 4:1–2). I realized that at the core of my frustration was our inability to get along, even though “the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed within us, jealously longs for us to be faithful” (James 4:5 NLT).

This is what God whispered into my ear: “The same Spirit at work in you is the same Spirit at work in him.”

Did you catch that? The same Spirit at work in you is the same Spirit at work in him.

Is there another believer with whom you have trouble getting along? Remember, the same Spirit at work in you is the same Spirit at work in him or her.

This year, what will you do to try and bring peace between you and this person?

Conflicts, we're always in them. Whether it may be with family, with friends, with yourself. They can be small conflicts over who's the pick up the phone or big conflicts that can cause destructive consequences. According to this devotional, it states that when these conflicts arise, it isevidence of ungodly desires. This does make sense. Whenever we're in conflict we have a desire for something, something for us to go our way. For instance, when the phone rings and you're arguing with someone else to pick it up, you yourself dont want to move, you want keep on doing what you wanna do. Its just you you you you. These are not godly desires. The passage (James 4) speaks about dealing with worldly things, within the scripture it even says "flirting with the world" God is a jealous lover, he wants you to be faithful, so when we "fight" with others, there are no godly desires present, and becomes something God isnt pleased with.

This is an interesting line. “The same Spirit at work in you is the same Spirit at work in him.” The same people you have conflicts with have the same spirit as you. What does that even mean. Thinking about it, here's my stab. Like we're somehow all connected? What do you think? comment below.

Are you in conflict with anyone? Are your desires aligned with Christ's? Or are they selfish desires? Are you "at war"? How are you going to re-establish that peace with them?

verse of the day: James 4:4

⁴Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.