How To Stop Wars
President Biden recently announced that the United States has ended its long war in Afghanistan. Sanjana Karanth wrote an article in World News, entitled, “Last U.S. Planes Leave Kabul, Ending 20-Year War In Afghanistan.” It is astounding that it took 20 years to end this war. Many lives were lost, millions were made homeless, and the pain inflicted from this war will live on.
The war in Afghanistan may dominate the headlines today, but all over the world, there are constant stories of wars, fighting, refugees and atrocities. What is the cause of the constant conflict? The Bible says that wars come from the conflict within us (James 4:1). The scriptures suggest that to avoid wars, we need to ask God to help supply our needs (James 4:2).
The Bible says that before the end of the earth arrives, we will hear about wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6). It will not stop. What should the child of God do about the depressing litany of conflicts? First, knowing that the devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy, we must submit ourselves to God’s will, word, and authority to defeat evil (James 4:7). Second, with God on our side (Romans 8:31), we must resist being involved with and escalating conflicts. Third, we can pray against the evil forces that bring about disputes (Philippians 4:13).
It is true that we are not all world leaders who can forcefully put down wars and fighting, but in our small corner of the world, we can allow God to use us to be examples of peacefully living a life for God. Since we are books that the world reads, let His peace keep our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:7) and then we can then act like God would have us act.
James 4:1, 2
New International Version
1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
Matthew 24:6
New International Version
6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
James 4:7
New International Version
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you
Romans 8:31
New International Version
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Philippians 4:13
New International Version
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:7
New International Version
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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