Conflict: Good Or Bad
Conflict: Good Or Bad?
Text: James 1:19-25
Thesis: To show that conflict based on the truth of God's word can lead to a much better condition.
Introduction:
1. There are parents who have a non-confrontational philosophy. When their children do things
they shouldn't, they avoid anything that appears negative in order to avoid conflict. The
basic assumption they make is that all conflict is bad.
2. There are Christians who view all conflict as bad. They believe God has called us to peace,
and anything that disrupts that peace is from Satan. But is this really the way we should
view conflict? Is there anything of value that can come from conflict?
3. God's word has much to say on this topic. We should learn truths that can guide us in those
times of our lives when conflict is inescapable.
Discussion:
I. Conflict, A Feature Of Life As God Planned It
A. "Conflict" is a common idea. When two people have differing ideas on what to do, where to go, etc., there is conflict. Though it does not have to lead to angry disputes, it often does. This is the part that we find so distasteful. Most of us don't enjoy being angry or having someone angry with us, and we go out of our way to avoid such occasions.
B. The Bible shows conflict as part of life:
1. To be sure, uncontrolled anger and bitter fighting are not what God desires. But is that what conflict must always be?
2. A brief look at the word:
a. Phil. 1:30 - One of only four instances of the word "conflict" in the NKJV, the word agon means a contest or a battle; opposing forces which are striving to prevail.
b. Heb. 12:1 - We are urged to run with endurance the "race" set before us - translated from the same word agon. This shows life itself to be a series of conflicts. Conflict is thus unavoidable.
c. 1 Tim. 6:12 - We are to fight the good "fight" of faith (from agon). Again, conflict is unavoidable, and at times is the positive choice Christians must make.
d. Jas. 4:4 - Why is conflict unavoidable? Because we constantly face a choice: Friendship with the world or with God. We all choose, whether wittingly or not.
3. God's use of conflict to achieve positive goals:
a. Amos 4:6 - This verse, and several that follow, show a series of conflicts God brought upon Israel. Why? To cause them to return to Him, a very positive end He desired. Unfortunately, they did not learn from God's rebuke.
b. Rev. 3:15-19 - Christ's words to the church at Laodicea were strong. Conflict was certainly at the heart of this message. But note the message in v. 19 - Love was what prompted the conflict, and repentance that would lead to life was what Christ so strongly desired. Could we say that this conflict was bad?
C. A man once watched as a butterfly struggled to emerge from its cocoon. He took small scissors and gently clipped a larger opening, and the butterfly fell out effortlessly. But it could not fly -- the struggle is part of the strengthening process. So it is with much of the conflict we will face. It can have decidedly positive benefits when we accept it with God's guidance and counsel.
II. When Conflict Is Good For Christians
A. The key factor in positive conflict:
1. Jas. 1:19-20 - This is a scene of conflict. The person does not want to be rebuked, and is angry and arguing with the one who has confronted him.
2. Jas. 1:21 - But if the basis of the rebuke is "the word which is able to save your souls" - i.e. truth from God's word - it should be received "with meekness".
B. Conflict which should not be avoided:
1. The conflict of seeking to lead others away from sin:
a. Prov. 27:5,6 - Open rebuke is good if it leads to another's improvement. These types of "wounds" are faithful.
b. (2 Sam. 12:5-7) - What a risk Nathan took when he confronted King David about his sins! But the outcome was repentance and life for David. It was worth the risk.
c. Many around us are caught up in sins of various kinds. Why is no one saying anything? In their sins they are doomed? Will we make things worse by daring to rebuke them?
2. The conflict of standing firmly for truth:
a. In the minds of some, it's more important to get along with one another than to risk alienation by demanding adherence to principles.
b. Jude 3 - But Jude urged just that -- to earnestly contend for the faith. Contention may not be the pleasant choice, but it is the necessary choice.
c. Gal. 4:16 - Yes, some will consider us enemies if we confront them with the truth. But can that possibility deter us from doing what is eternally best for them?
d. Jer. 8:11 - God was angry with those who attempted to heal the hurt of His people slightly with deceptive words of "Peace, peace" -- when there was no peace!
3. The conflict which comes by being a Christian:
a. 1 Pet. 4:14-16 - Sometimes we suffer simply because we are Christians. We didn't ask for this suffering but it came. We didn't seek to avoid it, but accepted it, knowing that is the price we must sometimes pay.
b. Lk. 6:26 - Woe to those whose only goal is to not rock the boat! Being a follower of Christ sometimes involves turmoil and conflict. But as long as we stand for our Lord, we know we are doing what is right.
C. When others are wandering further from truth; when some seek to change the truths God has given; when the world seeks to pull us away from Christ by adversity -- can we seek peace at such times? These are times when conflict can lead to good, and we must accept it.
Conclusion:
1. Mt. 5:9 - It is true that peacemakers are blessed. But peace on whose terms? As we have seen, there are times when peace cannot be won without compromising the truths of God's word. Those are times when we cannot make peace.
2. Those who stand with Christ are standing with the Prince of Peace. Only He knows how to
accomplish the ultimate victory. Let us determine to stand with Him!