Conflict and Communication
Bottomline: The only thing God dislikes more than conflict, is conflict that is not resolved in a healthy manner.
The only thing God dislikes more than conflict, is conflict that is not resolved in a healthy manner.
Conflict is inventible and so are the consequences of unresolved conflict.
Unresolved conflict with others will leads to our own conflict with God.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
We need to pray for discernment to know when we are to fight and when we are to flee an argument.
“If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.
