Devotionals by Raul Ries
SUNDAY July 26, 2026
The Wars and Fights Among Us
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war.
James 4:1-2
James addressed Christians who were struggling with worldliness, selfishness and carnality. They had the potential to cause major wars and divisions in churches. Their ungodly behavior brought much conflict into the body of Christ. They were at war with each other. Jealousy in a person’s heart can lead to murder––the murder of someone’s character.
What really hurts is when someone brings a false accusation against another person who has done nothing wrong. Gossip can really destroy a person’s character; it wounds them. We are so quick to jump and make judgments when we do not know the true facts and circumstances. We should never act as judge and jury. If you are walking in the flesh, expect these sins to be evident in your life: ...adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries... (Galatians 5:19-21). The Bible tells us to walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
Another sin is covetousness. Have you witnessed someone trying to take over a position where God never intended for them to serve? People can also covet other people’s houses or cars––or even a spouse. Seriously, there is so much striving among Christians. Yet the answer is to be content with wherever God has placed you and what He has given you. Underline in your Bible 1 Timothy 6:6-8 for a better perspective: Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
The question is, “Are you content?”
The very first temptation in the history of mankind was the temptation to be discontent…that is exactly what discontentment is – a questioning of the goodness of God.
~Jerry Bridges~
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About Raul Ries
Raul Ries is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and President of Somebody Loves You Ministries. After his miraculous conversion in 1971, Raul began to read and study the Bible extensively even though he had a limited education. In 1974 he began a home Bible study with seven other committed individuals. Soon, he started to preach and counsel youth during the noon hour at his former high school, Baldwin Park High. Calvary Chapel West Covina grew out of Raul's home fellowship, as well as his Kung-Fu studio, and was soon meeting weekly at an old converted Safeway store. In 1993, the congregation moved to Diamond Bar and occupied a 101,000 square-foot corporate building on 28 acres. Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (as it is now called) draws between 10,000 - 12,000 in attendance weekly.
Author of several books, including Fury to Freedom (the story of his early life and dramatic conversion), Raul Ries has also produced three films: Fury to Freedom (feature film dramatization of the book); A Quiet Hope (a riveting and stirring documentary detailing seven soldier's accounts of the Vietnam War and its aftermath); and A Venture in Faith (a documentary of the history of the Calvary Chapel movement).
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(909) 396-1884