Director, LeaderCare & Church Administration
Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
Nothing will test your obedience to Christ like conflict. A person may normally be a smiley-faced, calm, gracious, Sunday-School-teacher-quality Christian until serious conflict appears. Then there can be drastic changes — a smile becomes a frown and words become harsh and sharp-edged. There may never be a more challenging time to behave Christianly than when in the fracas of conflict.
Anger bubbles up easily in conflict and one angry eruption can neutralize a lifetime of sparkling testimony. One stormy business meeting can offset a decade of a church’s good conduct grades. Do you want a tough test to measure your spiritual health? Try conflict.
When having a potentially volatile meeting, it may be wise to confer with an objective outsider to anticipate what might occur and to plan a peacemaking response. Do what is wise and right to avoid that unguarded occasion when, in a fit of fury, you say or do something that will keep you forever ashamed of the time when you violated Christian principles and dishonored the Lord.
Some good Bible verses to put in your Christian Conflict Management Toolbox: Matthew 18:15, Romans 12:18, Matthew 5:23–24. Again, nothing will test your obedience to Christ like conflict. Ace the test.
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