Church is a place where neighbors become friends and friends become family.

These conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? (4:1)

At least three possibilities:

1. The need to follow Jewish customs to be Christian?

2. Wanting to revolt against the Roman?

3. Interpersonal strife

Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? (4:1)

Differences of opinion/interpretation do not create conflict. Conflict comes from passions within which are marked by envy and selfish ambition. (3:14) In other words...conflict comes from the fear of what may happen if we do not get our way.

Who is wise and understanding among you? (3:13)

The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord. (Psalm 9:10 and 111:10)

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (4:16)

Humility places us under the shower of wisdom. (3:17)

1. Pure (without fault)

2. Peaceable

3. Gentle

4. Open to reason (RSV)

5. Full of mercy and good fruits

6. Without uncertainty or insincerity (RSV)