All Life Is Conflict

All life is conflict; there is no peace this side of the grave.

— jonolan

All living things are in a state of conflict with other living things. Even plants struggle against each other for sunlight, water and soil. The natural cycle of predation is a very basic and primal example of the constant struggle between lifeforms for their very survival.

There is also the even more basic struggle the living engage in with their environment. The old adage of “adapt or die” is a perfect summation of this struggle to adapt to changing conditions that are at odds with a creature’s or plant’s continued survival.

Among people these primal conflicts are often expanded into conflicts over wealth, status and power. No longer just a struggle for survival, the conflict turned into wars of ideologies as Man grew to think beyond his immediate fleshly needs.

Finally there is Man’s internal conflict – his struggle with himself. The unrelenting struggle Man engages in with himself will outlast all other forms of conflict that he engages in and will continue until death.

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3 Responses to “All Life Is Conflict”

  1. The Razzler Says:

    I’m reminded of a verse in Romans – For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. (Ch7 v19), do I do what I know is right or do I do what is easier?

    This is a very thought-provoking post, thanks 😉

  2. jonolan Says:

    Ah yes, Romans 7:14-20

    We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

    An apt example of the constant conflict that exists within the hearts and minds of people.

  3. Christy Says:

    Thought-provoking, Jonolan, as always, and…an acute observation of the world. Something I’ve been wrestling with the past few days…the internal struggle…that passage hits too close to home. But also thinking lately about the struggle against fear. Thinking of the inherent fear that rises when I’m first taking off or landing within a plane…Jesus says there is a peace that passes all understanding and it comes from God. I know this peace; I’ve experienced this peace time and time again; I believe this promise to be true, but the fleshly part of me still…gasps with fear when faced with danger or perceived danger. There is still that internal question that rises. What I believe theologically and spiritually, what I believe intellectually comes in conflict with my emotional heart. The struggle. Perhaps evidence that all is not right in the world; all is not what it was meant to be.

    Just a response from the lens of my worldview. =) Much to ponder. Thanks.

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