"Nothing does so much harm to the cause of religion as the quarrels of Christians." -
J. C. Ryle
 
Someone once said - "The devil falls in when the saints fall out."
Concerning controversies among believers, Isaac Barrow said - "There are some controversies prickly like brambles, and apt to scratch those that handle them, but yielding no savoury or wholesome fruit."
G. Campbell Morgan said - "The devil's master stroke is that of dividing forces that ought to stand together."
And lastly, Thomas Watson said - "Divisions are Satan's powder-plot, to blow up religion."
 
In the Scriptures we read of two different types of people.
As Christians, we fall into one of two categories - we are either for peace or for war.
We either have a disposition for peace in our different relationships or else we are suspicious, envious, peevish, and set on controversy wherever we go.
 
Let's examine some of the characteristics of those who "hateth peace" along with those who are "for peace" in the light of the Scriptures and see into which category we fall.
 
1. Hate Peace
 
These are the kind of people who are intolerable, restless, fierce, barbarous, war-like, suspicious, envious, and satisfied with nothing. They have sour, perverse, and crooked personalities. They pervert others' motives, misrepresent and twist their words to mean something that was never intended, demand that others give them more than is rightfully due them, are generally lazy and refuse to perform their duties, and make every opportunity to draw others into controversy with them.
 
The Scriptures depict them as being "for war" -
 
Psalm 120:6-7 - "My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war."
 
Wherever they go and into whatever relationship they enter, they cause discord, variance, and strife. They are bent on mischief and determined to quarrel. Any effort they make to live in peace is in vain.
 
The Scriptures describe them as being treacherous, false, and betrayers in their friendships. They are constantly set on taking vengeance on others. They have a case and an attitude which becomes directed toward all, especially those who are at peace with them -
 
Psalm 55:20 - "He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant."
 
"Broken his covenant" - Such a person knows nothing about keeping his word. He says one thing and then does another, depending upon his own whims and fancies.
 
Psalm 55:21 - You can never trust such a one. He is a hypocrite. All his professions of friendship are false. He uses pleasant, "honeyed words" in order to deceive, betray, and eventually destroy others - "The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords." 
 
This type of person continuously listens to the lies of the devil. Resultantly, every day he finds himself at war with someone -
 
Psalm 140:2 - "Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war."
 
Because his thoughts and imaginations are demon-inspired, so are his words and his actions -
 
Psalm 35:20 - "For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land."
 
Once again, we see from the Scriptures that this type of person causes havoc for those who are "quiet in the land."  He is disposed and inclined to quarrel - "speak not peace." He sets his heart on lies and misrepresentations of the facts and uses these for an occasion to strive with others. He is simply unwilling to be on good terms with others.
 
Romans 3:17 seems to sum up this man's problem perfectly - "AND THE WAY OF PEACE HAVE THEY NOT KNOWN." This person is very selfish and self-seeking. He doesn't care to try to promote the happiness of others because he is too busy being consumed with his own wants and desires. He is full of himself.. Self has become an idol in his life. He worships himself and expects everyone else to follow suit. He doesn't know how to obtain peace for himself nor how to pursue it with others. Since he has no peace in himself, it seems as though he is intent that others don't enjoy it either.
 
2. Love Peace
 
On the other hand, the Scriptures describe the Good Man who loves peace, pursues it at every chance, and delights in it. He loves to be peaceable and quiet. He has a disposition for peace. He has a great desire to live in peace with others. He actually strives for it in every relationship that he encounters. He will undergo any sacrifice or give up any personal rights just to keep peace flowing and a quarrel avoided. He will go to any measure just to promote peace among others -
 
Psalm 120:7 - "I am for peace..." 
 
That says it all! In every relationship and in every situation, this is his declaration - "I am for peace..." No matter what the price or the cost, this is his determined goal and purpose in life - "I am for peace..."

Normally, we would say - God forbid that anyone should fall into the first category.
We would rightfully ask - How can anyone claim to be walking with Jesus and yet be so contentious and quarrelsome?
 
That is a good question. The sad commentary is that many professing to be followers of Christ are exactly as the first category describes them.
 
In many marriages, homes, families, churches, ministries, businesses, etc. there are so-called believers who are contentious, peevish, seemingly angry at everyone, embittered, and provoking. It's almost unbearable living and working amongst them. Because of their unbridled passions and lusts, they are determined to get their own way and spoil every one else's day until they do so.
 
Perhaps you are one of these kinds of people. Maybe you have never really seen yourself like this beforehand, but in the mirror of God's Word today, you have seen the Real You and are convicted of the Holy Spirit.

There is not a person on the face of the earth that in all sincerity does not want to enjoy peace of heart and mind and peace with others. Even the most cantankerous ones would have to admit that they don't want to be this way but don't know how to change.
 
Throughout this message, we have seen in the Scriptures that a person who "hates peace," is "for war," and is "continually gathered together for war," suffers from an undisciplined mind and an unbridled tongue. He is a very selfish and demanding person.
 
The way to counteract such behavior is to repent and call upon Jesus to take control of one's life.
The reason why there is no Peace is because the Prince of Peace is not in control. Self is.
When Self becomes conquered and nailed to the cross and Jesus takes His rightful place as Lord, that life is filled with Peace and generates Peace to all - becomes a Peacemaker, if you will.
 
Let's examine our lives today in light of this message.

If so, then we will be able to confidently and boldly declare to all - "I am for peace..." and then demonstrate it by living peaceably with others.
 
However, if there is something amiss in our lives, we need to make it right today. We must not put it off until tomorrow.

May God Bless His Word.
Connie