My dearest friends
So much conflict and division all around. We are definitely not immune to it, as we must as Christians take the higher road of reconciliation and forgiving the unforgivable. We cannot generalize though, we must take all situations to God as for some situations we would incur abuse from characteristics of narcissistic psychopathic or sociopathic behaviour choices, being in close relationship with these individuals would be a distraction as emotionally and psychologically one would be disturbed. Yes these particular individuals may believe there is a Christ but may never truly repent or submit themselves to the process of deliverance
Now we must recognise these factors as to why there is conflict.
1 Conflict can come about because of just differences of someone's make up - culture, personality, religious beliefs, upbringing are some of the root causes of differences
2 Conflict can be orchestrated by the enemy himself. He is the "master" of division and conflict
3 Now I can tell you this fact - if you are only "hearing" bad things about someone who is in Christ, living the surrended life, it is not of God. It is the precursor to conflict, strife and great division.
What do we do?
1 As hard as it may be to do - stop and pray, listen to God before we respond.
I myself am learning more and more to do this.
Listen to these words
Psalm 119:165
Great peace have they which love your word and nothing shall offend them
Some translations use the word stumble instead of offence
Amen
Well here is what will help us to have peace and continue in peace
2 Admit the truth and take it to God...some of us have a way of burying what we feel, with a guise that nothing ever troubles us. God can restore, heal and deliver, when we can speak the truth - that thing really hurt us and Father we need help in dealing with this
3 Conflict resolution strategies are in Matthew 18
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
Let us resist the urge to run to others about the one who offended you....if we must talk for accountability and advise that's okay, but we must never speak in a way that inspires hate for the offender.
3 Refuse to keep anything in your heart except God’s love, his words and his precepts. I have found that this works everytime the enemy reminds you of the offence speak a blessing over that person aloud
Amen
4 Keep the peace for
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9).
Into a world that is ugly with violence and hate, Jesus sends us as peacemakers
These actions will help us to remain peacemakers - ask God to help us to bridle our tongues and we must take our thoughts captive each day.
Peace making dear friends is a seed sown that we will enjoy the fruit of it
Amen
5 Let us truly remain humble -
Matthew 7
“Judge[a] not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what [b]judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye
Lord help us to be peace makers and expert conflict resolution strategists
Amen
Walk good in Christ
Till we meet again
Pastor J
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