Tag Archives: conflicts

TO QUARREL IS TO SIN Poem Devotional

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July 23________________________________________
Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin. – Proverbs 17:19(NLT)
TO QUARREL IS TO SIN
A poem and essay by ILMA
When one is inclined towards conflict
That person is actually embracing sin
Anyone who loves to quarrel loves evil
They only listen to the lies of the devil.
When someone engages you in a fight
Don’t get into the trap, run for your life
Pursue peace and avoid fights of any kind
This will make you lead a conflict-free life.
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I lived a good number of life amidst passive conflict. What I mean by this is that there was not any loud screaming or arguing, it was more emotional provocation and belittling that I experienced growing up. As a result of living with these challenges, I learned to react to conflicts defensively. I became obsessed to prove myself right to almost everyone. Thus, I learned to thrive in it. When I became a born again Christian, the Lord dealt with the sin of conflict in my life. He convicted me of all that caused me to choose to fight rather than to pursue peace. He brought me to those moments when I cradled the wounds of the traumas and abuses from those closest to me.
Romans 12:18 tells us that if it is possible, as far as it depends on us, we must live at peace with everyone. Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from the tendency to argue or fight.
REFLECTION
Why do you think the love of conflict is considered a sin?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

BEFORE A DISPUTE GROWS Poem Devotional

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July 21________________________________________
Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate; so stop before a dispute breaks out.
– Proverbs 17:14(NLT)
BEFORE A DISPUTE GROWS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Whenever a conflict is brewing
Be aware of it before engaging
Starting a fight is opening a floodgate
Involving yourself in it is an actual bait.
Just like poison that travels rapidly
Stop it at its core immediately
Seek and pursue peace at all cost
It will break a dispute before it grows.
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I used to love to debate and prove my point until the Lord convicted me of this futile and harmful act. Because I was deprived of being heard as a child, I learned to survive by fighting back and proving my point. It filled the void of being rejected and disrespected. When I became a born again Christian, I had to let it go because the bible says that we are to pursue peace at all cost.
The book of Proverbs warns us of engaging in conflicts. If we start a fight, we are actually opening the floodgate to hell. The antidote to fights would be choosing love and peace. When we choose to love, we are shutting the door to Satan to fill us with all kinds of lies and evil acts. Before the poison kills us, we need to stop it where it entered our body. Stop a dispute before it breaks out.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to never engage in any form of conflict.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with people who love to argue or start fights?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

WHEN THERE IS DIVISION Poem Devotional

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August 31
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If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth and their own sins condemn them. -Titus 3:10-11(NLT)
WHEN THERE IS DIVISION
A poem and essay by ILMA
When there is division among the body of Christ
It needs to be addressed or it will lead to more fights
The person causing division have turned away from truth
Someone needs to warn them and get to its root.
When someone creates division amongst others
They are stirring up their sisters and brothers
Turn away from them when they continue to divide
Have nothing more to do with people who don’t abide.
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I have experienced a few sisters in Christ who creates division in our church. It is sad to watch that those who are the leaders are the ones who stir up troubles. No wonder we are not able to receive a revival in our church. It is a discouraging thing to watch especially when the act is so subtly done. The newly committed Christians will probably miss what’s going on, but to those who are spiritually mature, it won’t be unnoticed. I did gently confront them but they pretended it didn’t happen. As this verse say, have nothing more to do with them after you have warned them. These people have already stayed away from truth.
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PRAYER
Lord, stir the hearts of those who creates division especially in your church.
REFLECTION
Why should we gently confront people who divide?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

PERVERTED HEARTS Poem Devotional

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July 26
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What are worthless and wicked people like? They are constant liars, signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye, a nudge of the food, or the wiggle of fingers. Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble. – Proverbs 6:12-14(NLT)
PERVERTED HEARTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
What is in your heart today?
Does it dwell on God’s ways?
Does it plot to cause harm to others?
Is it concerned for your sisters and brothers?
Those who lie constantly have perverted hearts
They stir up conflicts and trouble never departs
They love evil and concoct all forms of deception
They give in easily to all kinds of corruption
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Salaph is the Hebrew word for “pervert.” It means to “twist” or “overturn.” When we hear the word pervert, we usually associate it with deviation from the normal way of doing sex. In other words, these people who engage in acts of perversion are twisting the way things are originally made or used for. There is such a thing as perverted hearts. These people are those who are wicked. They always plot evil and are trouble makers. They defy the real essence of what God made us for. Instead of operating in love, they live their lives to satisfy their own pleasures and whims. They lie constantly in order to manipulate others to give in to their wants. What is your heart’s condition?
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PRAYER
Lord, let me never give in to any form of perversion.
REFLECTION
How can we constantly guard our hearts from being perverted?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

ON DEALING WITH FOOLS AND ARGUMENTS

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July 6
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Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish argument of fools or they will become wise in their own eyes.
-Proverbs 26:4- 5(NLT)
ON DEALING WITH FOOLS AND ARGUMENTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Don’t answer senseless arguments of fools
It is one of the enemy’s tactics and tools
He wants you to engage in foolishness
It will surely derail you from righteousness.
Learn to confront fools with truth from God’s word
If you do, they won’t be able to drag you into this world
They’ll think highly of themselves if you don’t expose them
They will create more havoc if you don’t rebuke them.
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According to a commentary by Paul Koptak on the NIV application, these two contradictory verses are actually a form of parallelism where one idea builds upon another. Verse 4 warns against arguing with a fool on his own terms or we stoop to his level and become as foolish as he is. Verse 5, on the other hand, tells us that there are times when a fool has to be addressed so that his foolishness will not go unchallenged. This way, we are exposing his foolishness so he will see his folly. He may despise and reject the wisdom, but for truth’s sake and for those who are listening, we need to bring it out in the open. so they may see the difference between wisdom and folly and be instructed.
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PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from foolishness.
REFLECTION
How do you deal with fools?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

AGREEING WITH THE LORD Poem Devotional

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April 19________________________________________
You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins. -Isaiah 30:1(NLT)
AGREEING WITH THE LORD
A poem and essay by ILMA
Do you know what God has planned for your life?
Are your plans contrary to his or do you live in his light?
If you totally agree with the Lord, there is much anointing
If you make alliances not directed by him, you’ll lose his blessings.
Agreeing with the Lord in everything you do will bring you success
If you defy his plans, you will not make any progress
Be sure to consult and make your plans according to his will
It will definitely bring you closer to him and farther from sin.
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I once lived with someone who was a high conflict person. He always contradicts anyone automatically, almost like a reflex. After a while, I couldn’t understand why I was always drained. He sucks the energy out of me. The more I respond, the bigger his reaction. When I realized that he will not stop, I learned to disengage and just be quiet. I started agreeing with him even though I don’t think he is right. The conflicts stopped and I had peace.
Agreeing with someone close to you is very important in a relationship. Discord and arguments destroy relationships and people. Living out of God’s plan is rebellion and leads to sin.
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PRAYER
Lord, help me to live in your will always.
REFLECTION
What happens when you contradict God’s plans for you?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com

ON SETTLING DISAGREEMENTS Poem Devotional

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July 28
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Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. -Philippians 4:2(NLT)
ON SETTLING DISAGREEMENTS
A poem and essay by ILMA
Where there are conflicts, the enemy thrives
He loves to watch people when they strive
If you belong to God, you will settle disagreements
There is no need to dwell on fights and arguments.
Do not give the devil an open door for bondage
If you are God’s child, you won’t be at a disadvantage
He always wants you to be free and never chained
Let God renew you and so you can embrace change.
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I have wasted a lot of years arguing. It gave me so much pleasure then when I win an argument. What I did not know is that it was keeping me in bondage to conflicts. The enemy loves to watch people in all kinds of fights. I didn’t realize I was like a puppet to him. Each opportunity he gives me to have conflicts. I just followed the strings he pulls to bring me where he wants me to. God delivered me from this stronghold of conflict and since then, I learned to embrace peace at all cost.
The bible tells us to settle disagreements. He addresses all believers to seek and pursue peace at all times. He wants us all to live in harmony, love and understanding. The sooner we settle arguments, the faster the devil will flee.
PRAYER
Lord, show me any form of conflict when it comes.
REFLECTION
Why is it important to settle conflicts as soon as it arise?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com