| Real
Conflicts, Real Solutions Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
Luke 1:79 - "...to shine on those living in darkness and in
the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
What does the Bible say about handling
conflict?
Matthew 18:15-20 - "If your brother sins against you, go and
show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to
you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take
one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by
the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to
them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the
church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. "I tell
you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. "Again, I
tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask
for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two
or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
- Most conflicts can be resolved by giving one person individual
coaching on how to go to the other person and work out their
differences in private.
- The parties may try mediation by asking one or more respected
Christians to meet with them and facilitate a voluntary agreement.
- Finally, if the parties cannot come to an agreement, they may
use arbitration.
Three-step process for resolving conflict:
It may be referred to as biblical process.
- It is clearly set forth in scripture.
- It has been used for centuries to preserve the peace and
testimony of the church.
- This process has been used for decades.
1 Corinthians 6:1-8 - "If any of you has a dispute with
another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of
before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the
world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to
judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How
much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes
about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in
the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is
nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?
But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in
front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you
means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be
wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat
and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers."
You do not need to be a professional mediator to effectively
fulfill this role.
God is pleased to work through leaders and lay people in His
church who are willing to trust His word and be led by His Spirit. |
