How Does the Church Explain How to Deal with Conflict?
Well, the church follows the Word of God, which gives the following remedies: 1. Don’t Act Selfish and Worldly - James 4:1-2 (NASB) states, “What is the
source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.”
2. Don’t Be Yoked with Unbelievers, but With Each Other - 2 Corinthians 6:14 states, “Come out from the midst of and be sepa-
rate from unbelievers, apostates and the lawless. And what communion does the light have with the darkness?” Adherence to this scripture allows us to avoid conflict about anything relevant or irrelevant with people who don’t believe. And, we should also avoid getting into conflict with one another because Hebrews 10:25 says, “Don’t forsake assembling ourselves with one another, but exhort one another.” Psalm 133:1 states, “Oh, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” We need to be bound together with one another in fellowship and unity under the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit!
3. Start at the Lowest Level to Resolve Conflict - Matthew 5:23-24
states, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” We need to learn to make peace with one another first, before approaching God, and we will have many prayers answered; which won’t be hindered by our actions. Our actions can keep us stuck in the same position for years, stemming from something as petty as conflict.
34 THE WHOLE TRUTH
4. Navigate Carefully Through the Proper Channels with Two or Three Witnesses - Matthew 18:15-20 says,
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But, if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Remember that words are established by two or three witnesses and we must learn to let things go, once we have tried our best to do things correctly, have practiced forgiveness, and prayed for ourselves, as well as the one we have conflict with in the church. Also, James 5:16 states, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
5. Mature Christians Help Those Who Need Assistance with Conflict - Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers: For they shall be called the Children of God.” Christians who are strong in the faith, use wisdom in conversation and decision-making, and who will avoid becoming entangled in the conflict in which they are trying to help resolve, are well suited for the role of peacemaker.
6. Christians Shouldn’t Really Need to Take Each Other to Court – 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 states, “Dare any of
you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more,