When Interests Collide
Human society is organized around personal interests, and conflicts arise when these interests collide, revealing the sin that lies within.
A.W. Tozer discusses how personal interests dictate relationships between individuals and nations, emphasizing that harmony exists only when interests align. He argues that human society is structured to serve the majority's interests, and conflicts arise when these interests clash, leading to hostility and war. Tozer highlights that all wars stem from a collision of interests, which he identifies as a manifestation of sin, referencing the biblical inquiry from James about the origins of conflicts.
Text
Whether we are considering two men or two nations we see how personal interest controls their relation to each other. Two men can live together in perfect harmony as long as their interests coincide. Indeed it might correctly be said that human society can exist only by organizing itself in such a manner as to serve the interests of the majority of persons composing it, or at least of those persons who are in a position to fight for their rights.
As long as their interests do not conflict nations may for centuries live side by side in peace; when a shift in population or a change in the economic structure takes place nations that have been friends for generations may suddenly become enemies.
Hostility between nations or blocks of nations can always be traced to a clash of personal interest. All wars arise out of a collision of interests and must for that reason be recognized as a manifestation of sin. From whence come wars and fightings among you? asks James, come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
Sermon Outline
- Human Society Organized Around Interests
- Harmony through Coinciding Interests
- Conflict Arises from Colliding Interests
Key Quotes
“All wars arise out of a collision of interests and must for that reason be recognized as a manifestation of sin.” — A.W. Tozer
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? asks James, come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize how personal interests can lead to conflicts and sin in our lives.
- Seek harmony by aligning our interests with God's will and purposes.
- Acknowledge the sin that lies within us and seek forgiveness and redemption.