Worship service 1/24/2021 Ep. 47 click here
1/24/2021
Biblical Conflict Resolution
How to resolve conflict and restore relationship.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
10 Biblical Steps to Defuse Conflict:
1. Quiet Down The Level Of Your Voice
Ecclesiastes 9:17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of the ruler of fools.
Proverbs 15:1-2 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
2. Pause For Breath And Slow Down The Pace Of Your Speech
Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.
Ecclesiastes 10:4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.
3. Listen More, Talk Less
Proverbs 13:10 Pride only leads to arguments, but those who take advice are wise.
James 1:19-21 My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants. So put out of your life every evil thing and every kind of wrong. Then in gentleness accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts, which can save you.
4. Look For The Emotion Behind The Words.
Proverbs 14:10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
5. Pray As You Listen
Psalm 65:7 You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations.
Matthew 10:19-20 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
6. Seek To Understand Before Seeking To Be Understood
Proverbs 18:13 He who answers before listening– that is his folly and his shame.
7. Try To See Their Perspective
Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
8. Ask God To Show You A Clear Picture Of Yourself
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
9. Admit Any Part You Have In The Conflict
Matthew 7:3-5 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
10. Choose Your Words Carefully
Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Ephesians 4:29-32
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.