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ROMANS 12 vs 18, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” 1 Corinthians 14 vs 33, “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”
Romans 15 vs 33, “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
Ephesians 4 vs 3, “… endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
A conflict may be defined as a confrontation between differing expectations, purposes, goals, values or desires. It may be between any two groups or individuals. It may manifest in a violent or non-violent action toward the other party. These differences usually centre on scarce resources.
Since time immemorial, God has discouraged men from conflict. The verses we read: Romans 12 vs 18, 1 Corinthians 14 vs 33, Romans 12 vs 18, Ephesians 4 vs 3, Romans 15 vs 33. He further made it clear in the above exhortations that peace does not come on a silver platter. By using the word “endeavouring” in Ephesians 4 vs 33, He emphasized that peace requires some effort which may even be met with resistance. The church of God has had her fair share of conflicts. As early as the fourth chapter of Genesis, we notice the conflict between Cain and his brother Abel, leading to the murder of the latter (Abel).
The patriarch Abraham had his fair share of conflicts when his followers had a bitter quarrel with those of his nephew Lot. Isaac’s children also had conflicts with those of Abimelech. Jacob had a number of conflicts with his senior brother Esau. Joseph had conflicts with his brothers because of his dreams. The disciples of Jesus had to be rebuked on a number of occasions for wrestling over their respective positions in God’s kingdom. The Apostles of the New Testament had a number of conflicts bordering on doctrine, resources and position. Throughout church history, we see an unaccountable number of conflicts notable among which is the Martin Luther- led reformation.
Seven effects of conflict
Conflicts mark the beginning of destruction, murder and many evil deeds. Indeed the brother of our Lord said this clearly in his epistle.
James 3 vs 16, ‘For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” Parties engaged in conflict often experience more trouble than they imagine at the beginning of the conflict.
Conflicts hinder prayers
Peter was emphatic that conflicts hinder the prayers of saints. 1 Peter 3 vs 7, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.”
This is in line with the exhortation from our Lord that saints need to be reconciled to each other before offering prayers and sacrifices at the altar. Mathew 5 vs 23 – 24, Vs 23, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you…” Vs 24, “leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.
First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
Conflicts give place to the devil
The devil’s plans thrive best in an atmosphere of confusion. This is why Paul urged the saints to avoid giving place to the devil. Ephesians 4 vs 27, “… nor give place to the devil.” Our Lord Jesus made it clear that the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. Conflict is one sure way of welcoming the devil into your family, church or ministry.
Conflicts destroy the Weak
Conflicts are obviously destructive. There is no doubt that they have a more profound effect on the weaker ones in church. Paul therefore cautioned the stronger saints in the Roman and Corinthian churches to take note of this reality. Romans 14 vs 1, “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” Romans 15 vs 1, “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
Many saints who quit churches when leaders are at loggerheads hardly recover as stable saints. In physical warfare, it is often the women and children who suffer the most. As the saying goes, “when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.”
Conflicts are a bad witness to unbelievers
Our Lord projected the saints as the salt and light of the world. Love was to be our banner. John 13 vs 35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” One sure way of distorting this honourable image of the church is to engage in conflicts.
Conflicts stall growth
One of the main reasons why David the progenitor of our Lord Jesus Christ did not build the temple was the fact that he was a man of war.
Not only had he killed many people, but his empire was always at the risk of being attacked by his opponents. On the other hand, God strengthened the hand of his son Solomon who enjoyed peace all around him. I Kings 5 vs 3, “You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the LORD put his foes under the soles of his feet.”
Conflicts also have the effect of enforcing the “pull him down” (Phd) or “crab syndrome.” Most people in conflicts do not wish their opponents well in life. They therefore devise schemes and programmes to bring down others who are progressing. The crab syndrome derives its name from the story of a man who owned two sets of crabs, some in an open and others in a closed bottle. When he was asked why one was opened, he replied, “I do not need to seal to stop them from coming out. These crabs will pull each other down for as long as you can imagine. None of them will ever get to the top. On other hand, those in the sealed bottle are in such a hurry to get on with their lives. They will scatter if the lid is off. The story speaks for itself. Wherever there is conflict, progress is either slow or non-existent.
Conflicts Destroy Gifts
Whenever there is a conflict, the parties lose the benefit of the gifts and blessings of each other. Ephesians 4 vs 16, “… from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Paul urged all Christians to share in spiritual gifts. A Christian who lives without the spiritual input of others around him or her is unlikely to grow properly.
Conflicts cause emotional trauma
Conflicts tend to put the parties in a state of fear and mistrust.
Quite often, parties are uncomfortable about the presence of other parties. Sometimes, this discomfort brings undue pressure and suspicion among parties. Eventually simple actions are misconstrued to aggravate the conflict situation.
To be continued next week.
derick.khumalo