June 5: Fights

Scripture Lesson: James 4:1-3

Oakland A’s teammates Reggie Jackson and Bill North made news when they got into a clubhouse fight on this day in 1974. The incident happened in Detroit: Jackson injured his shoulder and catcher Ray Fosse suffered a crushed disc in his neck while trying to break up the fight, virtually ending his season.

In today’s text, James talks about what causes fights and quarrels. It all boils down to being selfish, not getting what one wants. James said that we cannot expect God to bless us when we ask with the wrong motives and use what we get for selfish means. In our “me first” society it is difficult at best to live an unselfish life. It is impossible to live an unselfish life without having Jesus in our hearts. When sin and selfishness creep into our lives and our teams, problems will occur. When we live the example of Christ, however, we will have a servant’s heart. Quarrels and fighting will cease when God’s children act like God’s Son!

1. What was the cause of your last argument or fight?

2. How could acting like Jesus in that moment have helped the situation?

3. Why is it so hard sometimes to be unselfish?

The key to stopping quarrels and fights is to be unselfish and to live like Christ each day. Satan loves it when we live selfish lives because he wins the battle that day. Let us all shut Satan out by living unselfish lives.