Good People. Fine Christians. Bible believing faith people. How could this tragedy happen to them? James 3:16 gives us insight into how anyone, even “faith people” can open the door to evil in their lives.
Every evil work would certainly apply to death, disease, or tragedy wouldn’t it? Words of envy and strife can set confusion in motion and cause problems to multiply and attract likeminded angry people and situations. If not consciously released, the pressure continues to build, often seething beneath the surface. Then when the problems and tragedy come, they cry out to God: “Oh, God, why in the world did this come to pass? God, why did you allow it?” But God had nothing to do with it. They violated the laws of God by allowing strife to control their lives.
Where there is strife, there is confusion and every evil work. The New Living Translation says “…There you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” (James 3:16) Christians let satan into their lives through strife. Paul said we are to give him no place. We are in charge. We can keep satan out or give him a place to work. Don’t give him any place! Don’t give place to anger, blame and contention.
Ephesians 4:26 says, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” One minister friend said, “Many times I have had to break the speed limit to get home before the sun went down to tell my wife, Honey, you were wrong, but I forgive you anyway!”
Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath. Why? Because where there is strife, there is confusion and every evil work. Strife in the home is an open door to satan. If not corrected, it will bring tragedy to your marriage and to your home. Strife in your business or work place will hinder or even stop your growth and prosperity.
Continual strife, unforgiveness, and anger will eventually cause physical illness in your body and affect others around you. There are many Christians who start out in love, but end up in strife with others.
Instead of forgiving and acting in love, they open the door wide to the devil. It doesn’t matter who is right or wrong, love and forgiveness releases you from the power of satan, confusion and his evil works.
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Good People. Fine Christians. Bible believing faith people. How could this tragedy happen to them? James 3:16 gives us insight into how anyone, even “faith people” can open the door to evil in their lives.
Every evil work would certainly apply to death, disease, or tragedy wouldn’t it? Words of envy and strife can set confusion in motion and cause problems to multiply and attract likeminded angry people and situations. If not consciously released, the pressure continues to build, often seething beneath the surface. Then when the problems and tragedy come, they cry out to God: “Oh, God, why in the world did this come to pass? God, why did you allow it?” But God had nothing to do with it. They violated the laws of God by allowing strife to control their lives.
Where there is strife, there is confusion and every evil work. The New Living Translation says “…There you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” (James 3:16) Christians let satan into their lives through strife. Paul said we are to give him no place. We are in charge. We can keep satan out or give him a place to work. Don’t give him any place! Don’t give place to anger, blame and contention.
Ephesians 4:26 says, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” One minister friend said, “Many times I have had to break the speed limit to get home before the sun went down to tell my wife, Honey, you were wrong, but I forgive you anyway!”
Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath. Why? Because where there is strife, there is confusion and every evil work. Strife in the home is an open door to satan. If not corrected, it will bring tragedy to your marriage and to your home. Strife in your business or work place will hinder or even stop your growth and prosperity.
Continual strife, unforgiveness, and anger will eventually cause physical illness in your body and affect others around you. There are many Christians who start out in love, but end up in strife with others.
Instead of forgiving and acting in love, they open the door wide to the devil. It doesn’t matter who is right or wrong, love and forgiveness releases you from the power of satan, confusion and his evil works.
I John 3:14 says, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.”
When it says “abides in death,” it does not mean you are eternally lost. It means you are walking under the law of sin and death, and that law will be working on you. It can even cost you your life. If you are abiding under that law, you have given the devil a place in your life. Unforgiveness and strife cause tragedy in Christian families and anyone living in unforgiveness or strife is operating in the energy or power of death. Paul said, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
If you walk in love and fellowship with Jesus, you are walking under the law of the Spirit of life and you have engaged the energy and power of life that abides in God! John wrote, “For this is the love of God, not the love of man.” We get God’s love and man’s love mixed up sometimes. Human love is based on feelings. The God kind of love is based on obedience to His Word.
Love is A Decision, Not a Feeling
Do you always feel like keeping God’s commandments? Do you always get up in the morning and feel like going to work? No. You know it is the thing to do, so you make a decision to do it. We are told that the love of God is keeping His commandments. This is a decision we must make, not a feeling.
This is where many Christians get confused. They think, “I just can’t feel right toward that individual.” When you make the decision to walk in love toward that person, your feelings will change. To say, “When I have a good feeling, then I will forgive and love them” is like saying to the fireplace, “Send me some heat and I’ll put in some wood.” It does not work that way! When you decide to walk in love, your feelings will change, but until you make that decision it will not work for you.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (I John 5:4-5)
You can operate in this love because faith works by love, and you must use your faith to walk in love! This is why the faith of some does nothing for them. They are not walking in love. They get upset and “lose their cool.” When you are not walking in love, your faith is ineffective. Love is something you decide to do.
A Decision
God is love. If you are born of God, you are born of love. You may say, “But I just can’t love that one person.” Love is not something you always feel like doing. Love is something you decide to do. It is an action and a behavior. The love that John is talking about is the love of God. Do you think God felt like giving His Son for the ungodly? Do you think God had to have a certain feeling to give His Son? No. He did not feel like it. He decided to do it! Love is a decision, not a feeling.
How can you love God if you are not going to love the creation which is created in the image of God? Keep in mind, I did not say you would feel the same way about them as you do about your best friend; but you decide to love the unlovely. This is God’s love.
Make the decision to walk in love right now!
Copyright © Capps Ministries
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Charles Capps is a retired farmer, land developer, and Bible teacher who has traveled extensively throughout the United States and several foreign countries sharing the truths of God's Word. He has taught Bible seminars for over 35 years, emphasizing the authority of the believer, faith and the power of words.
Charles and Peggy both have their roots in the rich farmland of Lonoke County, Arkansas. Having been raised by parents who were farmers, Charles began farming cotton, soybeans, and rice immediately after graduating from high school and marrying in 1951.
Peggy, being 3 1/2 months older than Charles had to sign as the adult on his behalf when he wanted to begin flying lessons at the age of 17. They joined an organization known as the Flying Farmers and gained experience going to "fly-ins" and national meetings across the United States. Neither knew that this skill of flying would be such an asset later when Charles began teaching personal evangelism in the 1960's. He spoke on the subject of soulwinning in churches not only in the US, but flew his twin engine Piper Comanche to the Bahamas to teach students of Youth With a Mission how to share Christ with others.
After reading a book by Kenneth E. Hagin entitled, "Authority of the Believer", Charles and Peggy's life took on a new dimension of travel and ministry as Charles became known for his teaching gift and insight on the subjects of faith and confession. Invitations to minister to the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International (FGBMFI) began to pour in, eventually leading to the publication of his teachings in book form. "The Tongue a Creative Force" and "God's Creative Power(r) Will Work for You" became bestsellers after Buddy Harrison, Kenneth Hagin's son in law, launched his publishing company with these two classics. These two books have sold millions (the God's Creative Power(r) series has sold over 5 million copies) and are still much in demand today.
We celebrated Charles' promotion to heaven at 5:15 pm Sunday, February 23, 2014. He informed the family and close friends on Friday that he would be going home to heaven in 3 days. After having some final words with family and friends on Saturday, he went to bed, went to sleep and never awoke. (He kept saying, "I want to go in my sleep.") His wife and daughters had the privilege of being with him as he finally got that glorified body he always talked about. Charles Capps was a man of integrity, a man of his word and he got what he said. He called those things that be not as though they were.
Charles Capps broadcast called, "Concepts of Faith", continues a daily national radio broadcast and a weekly television broadcast aired over several networks, satellite, and the internet. Click on the Radio or TV link to find the broadcast in your area.
Peggy continues to reside in Arkansas. Both Charles' and Peggy's daughters, Annette and Beverly are involved in the ministry.
