Conflict is something we will all face, but many of us would rather avoid. C.J. Mahaney has written a helpful and must read article on the subject of conflict, instructing on why and how we must face it.
Friends, there is a relational conflict in your immediate future, just as there is in mine. Let’s prepare now for this temptation and purpose to apply the wisdom of James 4:1-2 in the midst of quarrels and fights. For conflict is more serious than we think, it’s simpler to understand than we think, and because of the Savior, it’s easier to resolve than we think.
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Once again a timely and valuable teaching point! Understanding that what I view as a “simple” quarrel or fight, God sees as war and murder – a violation of His Holy law, is a very convicting thing. Thanks for pointing me to this article.
Rob
I think sometimes we don’t view our conflicts as sins…ok…most of the time I dont view it as a sin. When I look back at a conflict after reading this article I am reminded how selfish and how sinful I can be. Praise God for his grace and forgiveness.
Great, Rachel is over her fear of commenting on my blog! It is a good comment too. You and Rob have hit it right on the head, we tend to downplay and overlook sin. God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and this is a total experience. He intends on making us whole in every area. As we grow in him our sensitivity to sin should grow. The wonderful thing is that a life without sin really is full of joy and peace. And yes, I am so thankful that God is more gracious and patient that I am, I need it.
It’s kind of funny thing, sin is. I read this article on my lunch hour at work yesterday and if I remember the end of the article correctly, he states that conflict is enevitable and will most likely occur soon. After concurring wholeheartedly with the article, I went home and had a “conflict” with one of my children. It seemed like such a “teaching” moment that I justified at the time because it needed to be said; afterall, they do need to learn responsibility dont they?
Well, even though the content of the conflict might not have been all wrong, the delivery sure was.
While I was at work this morning, I remembered this article. It’s too bad that for some of us with thicker grey matter than others, have to go through conflict that could have been avoided had we just applied God’s precepts to the situation.
Guess what I will be doing tonight when I get home…………..
Mark,
hope things went well when you got home. I prayed for you.