Text: James 3:14–16
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
SYMPTOMS OF SPIRITUAL FAMINE: Division, Strife, and Lack of Compassion
Memory Verse: John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
One of the most visible symptoms of spiritual famine is division, strife, and lack of compassion among believers. When the presence of God withdraws, love grows cold. Churches and families that once prayed together begin to tear each other apart. Instead of unity in the Spirit, there is competition, gossip, and bitterness. Where there should be healing, there is hurt; where peace should reign, pride takes the throne. James 3:14–16 paints a clear picture: “If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth… For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” This means that strife is not just an emotional conflict, it opens the door for demonic activity. When love departs, the enemy enters.
Division is like a crack in a wall: the longer it is ignored, the wider it becomes until the whole structure collapses. In the same way, spiritual famine begins when the body of Christ stops nourishing itself with love and forgiveness. Without compassion, the church loses its witness. Jesus said in Matthew 12:25, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation.”
A heart starved of God’s presence becomes hardened toward others. Compassion, which flows from divine intimacy dries up. Like a plant cut off from its root, believers disconnected from love soon wither in spiritual dryness. In contrast, where the Holy Spirit reigns, there is harmony, gentleness, and mercy. Apostle Paul urged believers in Philippians 2:3–4, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” This is the cure for spiritual division, humility and love. Revival cannot come where hatred and self-promotion prevail.
In a body where one hand fights the other. That body cannot function. Likewise, a divided church cannot advance. When believers walk in unity, the Spirit moves freely. Psalm 133:1–2 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity… there the Lord commanded the blessing.” Unity attracts anointing; division quenches it. Let us return to love, forgive quickly, and walk humbly. When compassion returns, the famine will end, and God’s glory will fill His people again.
COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 85 GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS by Thomas O. Chisholm 1923
- Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not,
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
- Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
- Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Today’s Prayer
- Father, deliver me and Your church from the spirit of strife, division, and bitterness; fill us again with Your love.
- Lord, let compassion and unity flow among believers, that the world may see Christ in us.
- Lord, heal broken relationships in families, churches, and communities; let Your peace and mercy reign once more.
