The Slippery Slope Of Conflict Staying On Top Of Conflict

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The provided content discusses the nature of conflict from a biblical perspective, emphasizing how conflicts can escalate ethically and emotionally. It explains the different responses individuals might have when faced with conflict, categorized broadly into escape, attack, and conciliation responses. The text highlights the importance of biblical principles in resolving conflicts, advocating for peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness, inspired by the gospel of Jesus Christ. It underscores that while escape and attack responses tend to worsen conflicts, biblical responses rooted in humility, reconciliation, and peacemaking promote healing and spiritual growth. The article encourages Christians to respond to conflicts in a manner that glorifies God, promotes justice, and fosters reconciliation, offering practical steps and biblical references to support these responses. Emphasizing that conflict is an opportunity for spiritual development, the teachings are aimed at guiding believers to handle disputes biblically and lovingly, thereby transforming conflict into a catalyst for divine glory and personal sanctification.

Paper For Above instruction

Conflict is an inevitable aspect of human relationships and a significant challenge within personal, communal, and ecclesiastical settings. While unavoidable, the way individuals respond to conflict critically influences the outcomes, either escalating discord or fostering reconciliation. Biblical perspectives provide comprehensive guidance on approaching conflict positively, emphasizing the importance of responses aligned with Christian virtues of humility, forgiveness, and peacemaking. This paper explores the biblical principles guiding Christians in responding to conflict, contrasting destructive responses with biblically faithful strategies, and illustrating how these responses can transform conflict into opportunities for spiritual growth and divine glorification.

Introduction: Understanding Conflict in a Biblical Context

Conflict, in its essence, stems from unmet desires, misunderstandings, or sinful attitudes that heighten tensions between individuals. James 4:1-2 elucidates that conflicts originate from internal battles for desires that are unfulfilled, often resulting in quarrels and fights. When these conflicts are not handled biblically, they tend to spiral downward, becoming slippery slopes leading to destructive behaviors. The biblical narrative highlights that ungodly responses such as denial, flight, or violence exacerbate disputes, whereas faith-based responses foster healing and peace.

Escape Responses: Temporary Relief, Long-term Damage

The escape responses discussed—denial, flight, and suicide—are indicative of attempts to avoid confronting conflict. Denial involves pretending no problem exists or refusing to address issues, which merely postpones resolution and often intensifies the conflict (1 Samuel 2:22-25). Flight, whether by ending relationships or changing circumstances, might be justified in extreme cases but generally hampers genuine reconciliation (Genesis 16:6-8). Suicide, a tragic reflection of hopelessness, underscores the destructive potential of unresolved conflict (Matthew 27:1-5). These responses reflect a failure to seek biblical reconciliation and instead reveal a dependence on human strategies that ultimately deepen suffering.

Attack Responses: Escalating the Conflict

Attack responses, which include assault, litigation, and murder, embody a confrontational attitude driven by the desire to win or control others. Verbal attacks, slander, physical violence, or attempts to damage others' reputations are not only destructive but also spiritually condemned. Acts 6:8-15 presents the early church's example of persecution and violence, demonstrating how such behavior escalates conflicts. Litigation might seem a neutral avenue for resolving disputes; however, the Bible encourages believers to settle issues within the community (Matthew 5:25-26; 1 Corinthians 6:1-8) to preserve relationships and uphold a faithful witness. Murder, though an extreme, reminds believers that harboring anger equates to murder in God's eyes (1 John 3:15; Matthew 5:21-22), illustrating the gravity of unrighteous responses.

Conciliation Responses: Biblical Pathways to Peace

Contrary to escape or attack responses, biblical peacemaking emphasizes restoration, forgiveness, and reconciliation. A true peacemaker is motivated by the gospel, recognizing that Christ's sacrifice has provided the basis for peace between God and humanity, as outlined in Colossians 1:19-20. Six primary responses facilitate biblical conflict resolution, divided into personal and assisted strategies. Personal responses include overlooking minor offenses (Proverbs 19:11), reconciliation through confession and forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24; Galatians 6:1), and negotiation aimed at mutual satisfaction (Philippians 2:4). These actions reflect humility, patience, and love, consistent with biblical teachings.

Assisted Responses: Seeking External Help in Reconciliation

When personal efforts are insufficient, biblical guidance advocates for seeking help through mediation, arbitration, and accountability. Mediation involves objective third parties assisting communication (Matthew 18:16), aimed at finding mutual understanding. Arbitration, authorized by scripture (1 Corinthians 6:4), may result in binding decisions when parties cannot agree voluntarily. Accountability involves church discipline for unrepentant offenders, emphasizing church leaders' role in promoting righteousness (Matthew 18:17). These methods underscore the biblical priority of restoring relationships and maintaining unity within the church community.

The Spiritual Foundation: The Gospel as the Key to Peacemaking

The transformative power of the gospel underpins biblical responses to conflict. Ephesians 4:32 instructs believers to forgive as Christ forgave, highlighting that reconciliation begins with understanding God's grace. Biblical peacemakers draw on Christ’s love, mercy, and forgiveness, breathing grace into broken relationships (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Peacemaking is rooted in humility, as in Matthew 7:3-5, where believers examine their own faults before condemning others. Reconciliation thus becomes a gospel-driven effort to reflect God's love, promoting justice and peace in every conflict encountered.

Conclusion: Embracing Biblical Conflict Resolution

Handling conflict biblically requires discernment, humility, and dependence on God's grace. Escape and attack responses tend to escalate conflicts, causing further disunity and spiritual harm. Conversely, biblical responses—overlooking offenses, seeking reconciliation, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and accountability—cultivate peace, restore relationships, and glorify God. The gospel fuels these responses, transforming believers into peacemakers who reflect divine love and reconciliation in a fractured world. By adhering to biblical principles, Christians not only resolve conflicts effectively but also serve as witnesses to the reconciling power of Christ.

References

• Bartlett, D. (2013). Conflict Resolution and the Christian Life. Zondervan.
• Feinberg, G. (1986). Grace and Truth: A Biblical Perspective on Reconciliation. Crossway Books.
• Harris, R. L. (2012). Christian Conflict and its Resolution. Baker Academic.
• Ken Sande. (2004). The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict. Baker Books.
• MacArthur, J. (2001). Peace: Making and Maintaining. Crossway.
• Nygren, A. (2003). The Christian Response to Conflict. Eerdmans.
• Schwarz, H. (2000). Resolving Conflicts God's Way. Moody Publishers.
• Wright, N. T. (2008). Conflict and Reconciliation in Christian Life. Eerdmans.
• Van Harn, R. (2010). Biblical Principles of Justice and Reconciliation. InterVarsity Press.
• Wilkens, D. (2010). Christ and Conflict: Restoration and Reconciliation in the Christian Life. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.