How we handle conflict is a big deal. The consequences are much greater than we probably realize.
"The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." ( 2 Timothy 2:24-26 )
Conflict is inevitable. I've spent too much of my life denying this truth, to the detriment of both others and myself. My responses have ranged from the extremes of doing nothing to reacting harshly, none of which have been helpful or biblically-motivated. The proper response, which I see much more clearly now, is to be "patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition". Which all leads to Paul's very important explanation to Timothy as to WHY it is so important that we handle conflict well:
"if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."
This explanation fits well with the great truth found in Proverbs 15:1 - "A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger". A gentle answer does more than diffuse anger; it rescues the one in conflict from the snares of the devil.
Those in opposition to us as we represent God's truth are in a precarious position. It is a watershed moment; they can either be rescued into truth or turned away to the devil's schemes, depending on how we handle the conflict. In opposing us they unwittingly fall into the devil's snare and are held captive by him to do his will. Our response is a key factor in freeing them or further enslaving them in the snare.
I wonder how much division exists in Christianity due to improper response to conflict? Probably all of it. Improper responses have consigned countless numbers of people to the snare and will of the devil.
There is more to conflict than meets the eye, as we have seen in Paul's words. Our response has eternal consequences.
While I have not always handled conflict well, there have been times when I have. I've discovered that these are valuable teachable moments. Conflict holds the potential for spiritual growth and renewal.
May God use conflict in our lives to claim and reclaim His lost sheep.
Steve
"The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." ( 2 Timothy 2:24-26 )
Conflict is inevitable. I've spent too much of my life denying this truth, to the detriment of both others and myself. My responses have ranged from the extremes of doing nothing to reacting harshly, none of which have been helpful or biblically-motivated. The proper response, which I see much more clearly now, is to be "patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition". Which all leads to Paul's very important explanation to Timothy as to WHY it is so important that we handle conflict well:
"if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."
This explanation fits well with the great truth found in Proverbs 15:1 - "A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger". A gentle answer does more than diffuse anger; it rescues the one in conflict from the snares of the devil.
Those in opposition to us as we represent God's truth are in a precarious position. It is a watershed moment; they can either be rescued into truth or turned away to the devil's schemes, depending on how we handle the conflict. In opposing us they unwittingly fall into the devil's snare and are held captive by him to do his will. Our response is a key factor in freeing them or further enslaving them in the snare.
I wonder how much division exists in Christianity due to improper response to conflict? Probably all of it. Improper responses have consigned countless numbers of people to the snare and will of the devil.
There is more to conflict than meets the eye, as we have seen in Paul's words. Our response has eternal consequences.
While I have not always handled conflict well, there have been times when I have. I've discovered that these are valuable teachable moments. Conflict holds the potential for spiritual growth and renewal.
May God use conflict in our lives to claim and reclaim His lost sheep.
Steve
posted by steve @ 8:27 AM
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