Dealing With Conflict

Ten Practical Insights for Handling Any Issues You Face in Life
by Marvin R. Knight

  1. First, embrace the apostolic perspective of all true conflict (Ephesians 6:10-20).
  2. Second, understand that the experience of sanctification is one of conflict (Galatians 5:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Corinthians 9:23-27).
  3. Third, stay mindful of the true sources of relational and spiritual conflict (James 4:1-5).
  4. Fourth, forearm or preprogram your mind with the expectation of suffering for Christ’s sake (1 Peter 4:13-17).

    Augustine said, “God had one Son without sin but not without suffering.” What are we to do?
    • Consider the example of Christ.
    • Consider the greatness of our example.
    • Consider the continuance of His suffering.
    • Consider the cause of His suffering.
  5. Fifth, recognize some ways that people avoid dealing with issues and their remedies.
    • Silence—Communication
    • Blame-shifting—Facing the issue at hand
    • Anger or yelling—Soft answer and courtesy
    • Bringing up the past—Stay with the present issue
  6. Sixth, forget about yourself and your intentions and seek the highest good of the person you are dealing with (Galatians 5:13).
  7. Seventh, procrastination with addressing issues is a symptom of fear and shows a lack of love and discipline.
  8. Eighth, don’t be fooled by behavior that has stopped, look for new patterns to be formed (Romans 12:1-2).
  9. Ninth, believe in the life-giving power of the Holy Scriptures and teach them with patience and practicality (2 Timothy 3:15ff).
  10. Finally, if the person is saved, trust in the promise of God to complete the work He began (Philippians 1:6). If he is not saved, trust is the power of God to covert the soul (Romans 1:16).