April 7th Daily Discussion

As I read this passage and your comment, Tami, an idea of how to look at this struck me. Think of two teams playing football at the Super Bowl. (This is the only time I watch football, so I am not an expert or super fan in anyway. I just enjoy the food and fellowship watching the game with my family.)

Anyway, sometimes in football (or any game for that matter), the two teams can come to a disagreement. The ball was out of bounds...it wasn't out of bounds. For baseball, the player is safe on third base...he isn't safe on third base. When these types of situations happen, you can always see the hostility rise up as the teams literally get into each others faces and scream at each other. They throw their hats or helmits on the ground. They poke each others chest and shout in anger. Basically, they just lose all control and let themselves get caught up in the heat of the moment.

I have seen brothers and sisters in the Lord do this same thing with each other over a disagreement in the Word. I have been in a church where a disagreement split the church in half, and then that church fell apart. This split happened years ago and had caused me to turn my back on God for a while, but eventually, I realized that God was the only One to look to. That is another story altogether.

The other thing to look at with my example from the teams going at each other is this...

Never forget the Referee.

The Referee is the one who steps in and ends the disagreement. Basically, it is the Ref who makes the final call. He steps in and ends the hostility.

Sometimes we forget about our Referee. God. God, of course, is a lot more than just a Referee. He is everything. He is our shelter in a storm. He is the One who can come between a hostile disagreement and calm it. The only thing is...we have to be receptive enough to know that He is there and then we have to be willing to allow Him to work in our hearts.

That was my thought today when I read this passage.

Thank you.

Jerry,
I just want you to know when I read your comments about things, its refreshes me and I can relate alot to some things you say. You inspire me alot.I thought you should know!
God Bless You and your family

I have the same question. I am a manager and conflict does happen at work mostly because people dont seem to have the same work ethics that I do. Which I understand that everyone is different but most of the time its things they shouldnt do and I get very frustrated and dont know how to deal with my frustration over this kind of conflict.

There is nothing wrong with having a disagreement or a little conflict within the Body of Christ. If that was the case then it would be wrong also for a husband and wife to have arguments. Its not the arguments or the disagreements that the problem but rather the way they are handled.

If handled poorly it can lead to further destruction and even separation and hatred but if handled correctly it can make the Body of Christ even stronger and more unified

Hi Tami-

I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the subject as well. I don't think Paul was saying all conflict is wrong. I believe conflict helps us to look at things from different perspectives and helps us to brain storm. Rather than dividing us, it should give us the desire to reason together and come up with what God's desire is. God wants us to be of one mind. That one mind doesn't mean we will agree on everything, but we should all agree on one thing, Christ and Him crucified. There are important issues in God's word that His adopted children can agree on and should.

Conflict that turns in to strife and causes dissention is a sin. As feelings are neither right or wrong, they just are, so conflict is neither right or wrong until the motive of the heart becomes wrong and then what we do with that feeling can become sin. Conflict should cause us to go to prayer at the time our motives in that conflict become sinful. I may not be articulating this well, I am sorry.

There was conflict in the church of which I am a member. In that conflict there were some who decided they were going to have their way at the expense of the congregation and reputation of the church. The conflict was not wrong, it actually drew the true family together in prayer and love. We learned from that conflict and grew in Christ because of it. We are a stronger part of the body of Christ because of it. The conflict exposed the true character of people and their motive. It was grievious to say the least. I believe that in the grief, tears and pain we developed and matured in some of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The first chapter of James came to life with in the conflict that developed into a trial and time of testing for the people in our congregation.

There will be conflict in this world. We can become better by it or bitter. The difference between better and bitter is one letter, "I". When we get "I" out of the way and stay dead in Christ so that He may live in and through us all things become better.

Certainly it is wrong for conflict to become a challenge of human wills. Paul addresses that in many scriptures: Acts 24:16 Rom 8:8 1 Cor 3 "Php 2:1 SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy, Php 2:2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Php 2:3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Php 2:4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Php 2:5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]" I believe this passage in Philippians sums up where conflict should lead us to. It should lead us to the mind of Christ and if there is any wrong motive, it should lead us to confession and repentance before God.

As we grow in love and knowledge, we will agree more and more. Disagreements may come but it will be shortlived as we seek the wisdom of the Lord together. Anger should not enter the equation, that would be sin and need of forgiveness. The Lord knows we are week and ready to sin but let us keep our hearts and minds stayed on Him. Will we disagree about salvation or His blood shed for you and me? Shall we disagree about His death or how He was raised from the dead? We will not pick fights with nonbelievers, I hope. Lets remember that all believers are Gods children and worthy of that common respect.

I love the comment on the teams and the referee. Yep, we should never forget who the referee is. I think sometimes we need to "agree to disagree." There are certain things that are very fundamental- like salvation. Other things are not - like what worship song to sing. If we can keep things in perspective, that helps.
Carol

Good Morning,
Its Great to be able alive in Christ today.
What a Great thing Jesus did, so we may have a relationship with God, Our Father.
Thank you Carol for the nice comment.
Hi Michael,
Its very comforting to here what you had to say, and I am glad you are Looking to Our Referee ( God ) and his written word. I have seen, as you talked about the breaking apart of a few Churches and what “Offences “have done to people. One such person was used to get me involved in a bible school. I praise God for that. But, his wife looked to the pastor and other people and not “Our Father “ and his word. It’s been many years and I’m not sure if they ever came back to any church. People will always make mistakes.
Being offended, staying offended, and holding bitterness, being unforgiving. Just to list a few that are big contributors. In recent weeks I shared a (sort of a Poem I wrote) which mentioned some people carrying some large stones called Pride. Pride is the big problem that would hinder, and hurt relationships. During last summer I listened to a series over and over, on Pride and Humility. It really opened the eyes of my heart.
I find that God loving people will have a tendency to back away instead of confronting issues. Not wanting to offend the other, and possibly hurt their relationships. But we should” in my opinion “ Ask the Lord for the words to use, which he will give, and trust the Holy Spirit. Then “ In My Opinion “ again confront the issue especially if what is being said or done will effect others. We should be only be guided by the Love of God, and his truth working in us. Not our Flesh, which is what, opens the door to pride. It’s ok to disagree, but not to Sin. We will get angry, but still we should not sin. Pride is the doorway to sin.“This is my Opinion” Based on my interpretation of what I have learned. We mostly need to remember to ask for help, don’t get offended, and be forgiving.

I remember one time I got offended about something my wife had said to me. I went to bed later that evening, not talking to her. I didn’t want to say something wrong. But the Holy Spirit reminded me of the, forget 70 times 7 verse. I said to Lord “ I forgive her “as I lay there still, without saying anything out loud. And guess what? I instantly had peace and couldn’t even remember what she had said that got me offended. God is so good!
I have fell short on many occasions, but the times I remember to ask, my Father God has never let me down.

One of the things that drove me to agnosticism is the conflict and contradiction and quarrels amongst Christians. I used to ask, if Christianity is real and true, why are there different versions of it and why are they not in harmony with one another, why the one thousand and one sects? My point is that conflicts and quarrels destroy our witness as Christians.

But we should probably point out that the conflicts that was happening here was not of any Christian doctrinal issues, but was just a matter of personal conviction. Because on the fundamentals of faith in Christ and the salvation, righteousness and forgiveness that comes through faith in Jesus alone I think Paul was very clear on that.

One of the most profound quotes I heard about addressing and understanding conflicts and minor differences is this,

“In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, diversity; in all things, love”

I believe it came from 1Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,
but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

I apply to myself, and I teach it to my children.

Hello Gloria and everyone else who has blogged today,

Thanks for your comments. I love reading them. Well Gloria asked for my thoughts so here's a short comment.

I do not think Paul is telling us that we should never have conflict. As long as we're human (sinful), that's impossible. I do believe, however, that he is calling us to be wise and gracious in our dealings and relationships with others and especially other believers, and if I do that, the overall tone within the Body should be one of harmony.

There are many examples of conflict in the Bible. It's just part of life and sometimes it's necessary. (Jesus certainly did plenty of feather ruffling and the disciples had disagreements as well). So when a situation arises where there's conflict I try to assess it from this angle--is this productive or is it destructive and navigate from there.

Tami W.