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Just A Thought: Dealing with Conflict

June 5, 2016 0 comments

Posted in: Just a Thought

All of us face conflict – but how do we deal with it in a way that honors God and strengthens Christian community. Let me suggest a place where we might start when facing the problem of conflict? We should start with Scripture, with God’s inspired Word. Now this is always a good starting point, the best there is, in fact. But in times of conflict it’s even more essential that we begin with and cling to biblical teaching. There are several reasons why.
First, in times of conflict our natural human emotions often try to dictate our behavior. We feel anger and want to lash out. We feel fear and want to defend or attack. We feel wronged and want to get revenge. Yet if we allow our emotions to guide our behavior, inevitably we’ll simply make matters worse. Second, in times of conflict we must stand solidly upon Scripture because God’s ways of dealing with conflict are generally very different from the world’s ways. When we’re in the midst of a battle our desire is to win. We rally the troops. We get out the vote. We defend ourselves. We play the victim. We undermine our opponents and so forth and so on. But rarely are these the ways of a God who says to us,

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8).

So we need the Bible to show us different ways to operate in times of conflict: the ways of peace, the ways of the gospel, the ways of Jesus Christ. Third, in times of conflict among Christians, we need the Bible as the source both of practical guidance (here’s how to act) and of theological insight (here’s how to think about God). The biblical combination of ethics and theology helps to shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Today, I want to draw your attention to one of the most important passages for discerning God’s guidance for Christians in conflict. Philippians 2:1-11. If you are in the midst of conflict with others let the scriptures be your guide.

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