Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink...” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12:17-21)
Conflict is a method used to hinder the furtherance of the gospel, unity, brotherly love, and kindness. In the experiences of my short life, it has had the most devastating effect.
At Bible camp, where I spend the majority of my summers, I have seen firsthand it's devastating effects on the atmosphere and oneness of the staff. I could almost hear the Devil laughing as he all too easily succeeded at destroying the main focus of our week at camp. And I hated it. From then on, it became a goal for me to avoid conflict at camp, and well, anywhere.
At Bible camp, where I spend the majority of my summers, I have seen firsthand it's devastating effects on the atmosphere and oneness of the staff. I could almost hear the Devil laughing as he all too easily succeeded at destroying the main focus of our week at camp. And I hated it. From then on, it became a goal for me to avoid conflict at camp, and well, anywhere.
"...bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:13)
There is a lot people could do to avoid conflict. Here are a few practical ways I've found helpful:
There is a lot people could do to avoid conflict. Here are a few practical ways I've found helpful:
Avoid Gossip: "Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)
Gossip tears people apart. Trust me, I know. Sadly, it is all too common among young people these days. I heard a simple challenge recently: If Jesus was sitting next to you, would you still be comfortable doing/talking/watching/thinking about it?
Sometimes we gossip in careless fun, although the fun never lasts long.
Sometimes we do it while innocently sharing information, which in itself is not wholly bad, but "when words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." (Proverbs 10:19)
Pray with David, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" (Psalm 141:3)
Gossip tears people apart. Trust me, I know. Sadly, it is all too common among young people these days. I heard a simple challenge recently: If Jesus was sitting next to you, would you still be comfortable doing/talking/watching/thinking about it?
Sometimes we gossip in careless fun, although the fun never lasts long.
Sometimes we do it while innocently sharing information, which in itself is not wholly bad, but "when words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." (Proverbs 10:19)
Pray with David, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" (Psalm 141:3)
Be slow to anger: "Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." (Proverbs 16:32)
The saying goes, "patience is a virtue." Something is only a big deal if you make it a big deal. (Brooke covered an excellent post about God's holy wrath and I strongly encourage you to read it here.) In it, she states that anger is not sin, which in itself is not. God is sinless and yet angry. But there are often sinful emotions and thoughts that are accompanied by our mortal anger, such as hate, bitterness, stubbornness (and yes, that can be wrong), selfishness, and envy... "The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:20)
"Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense." (Proverbs 19:11)
Forgive: "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)
...I won't expound on this. This verse says it all. For good measure, why don't you read it again!
Friends, as Christians, we are free from the power of sin, freed by the precious blood of Christ. Romans 6 tells us, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:1-4).
The kind of freedom this chapter is talking about tells not of being free to sin without suffering consequences, instead it is sharing with us the amazing ability to be free to serve God and walk in the newness of life!!!!!!
We are free from the bondage that conflict creates. We have the power to say no to it, to say no to the sin that will drag us and others down.
Encourage one another. Talk of the amazing wonders of the God of Wonders. Build one another up in the Word. Be a Godly example to those younger than you, watch the wise Godly ones placed in your life and learn from them. Trust in the LORD!!!!
<3 Berea
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