Sermon Outline

Confronting Conflict

Charles F. Stanley

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-16

I. Introduction: Conflict is an inevitable part of life. But if we choose to react in humility and forgiveness, you and I can avoid becoming bitter and resentful toward others and the Lord. God can use disagreement and criticism to teach us about ourselves, improve our relationships, and mature us spiritually. Let’s take a look at the Bible to learn how believers should respond to criticism and other types of interpersonal conflict.

II. Conflict affected the first Christians.

A. Peter said that God “made no distinction between us and [Gentiles], cleansing their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9). Later, the apostle separated himself from those who weren’t Jews by refusing to eat with them. He acted as if they were still unclean in God’s eyes.

B. When Paul publicly confronted this hypocrisy, Peter didn’t try to justify himself (Gal. 2:14, 16). Instead, he humbly acknowledged his error and changed his stand. First Peter 2:9-10 reveals his conviction that through faith in Christ, Gentiles could now be called “the people of God,” on equal ground with Jewish believers.

III. How can we confront conflict?

A. Recognize the cause. Conflict may result from different opinions, a personality clash, miscommunication, or jealousy. A person who is angry with someone else—or even with God—and yet take it out on you. Other conflicts have their root in rebellion against authority or emotional baggage from childhood or previous relationships.

B. Consider the effect of conflict. There are at least two wrong ways to respond to disagreement. First, some try to suppress the conflict—they recognize a problem but decide to do nothing about it. Secondly, people may repress it. In other words, they deny that the conflict even exists.

When conflict is not dealt with properly, it affects most areas of our liveslife. Unresolved disagreement divides our the minds, contributes to health problems, and hinders our emotions. It causes unnecessary pain and disappointment. If you are holding on to anger towards another person, you can’t truly love anyone. Unresolved conflict also blocks our fellowship with God and delays our personal growth.

IV. How can we respond wisely to conflict?

A. Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. Since disagreements have various causes, begin by seeking God to learn the source in each situation.

B. Maintain a quiet spirit. Our natural reaction is to defend ourselves when attacked. Instead, let the other person talk, and sometimes he or she will reveal the root of the conflict.

C. Make no attempt to justify yourself immediately. When people are furious, they can’t listen to your perspective. If God leads you to defend yourself, wait until the other person finishes. Then he or she will be more likely to hear your side.

D. Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your mouth. Psalm 141:3 says, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Don’t blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. Carefully consider what you are going to say, and leave time for God to provide you with wise answers (Luke 12:12).

E. View the conflict as coming from God. It doesn’t originate with the Lord, but He desires to use everything for good in our lives. When I learned to view discord as something the Father allows, it freed me to view such situations objectively. This perspective protected me from becoming bitter toward God or critical, resentful, and angry toward others.

F. Ask the Holy Spirit whether you are at fault. If you were wrong, immediately apologize and ask for forgiveness. When But when you feel unjustly condemned, learn to say, “I appreciate that you felt free to tell me this. I will prayerfully evaluate your criticism. Do you have any other suggestion that would help me?” Humility is always the right approach to disagreements.

G. Forgive the one responsible for the conflict. Even if their the other person’s analysis was totally wrong, forgive them the individual for bringing strife into your life (Eph. 4:32). Jesus provided the perfect example of this. During the crucifixion, He prayed, “Father, forgive them;, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

H. Ask God to reveal His purpose for allowing the conflict. You may not know immediately why the Lord is allowing difficulty. In time, you should be ait is often possible ble to see what He accomplished through each challenging situation that aroseyou faced. Pain, suffering, and heartache mature us spiritually and equip us to help others more effectively.

V. Conclusion: Conflict may be inevitable, but you and I can choose how to respond to it. If you are unable to come to an agreement with another person, don’t feel like a spiritual failure. Nobody one can force another personsomeone else to reconcile, but you can choose to walk in forgiveness anyway. Ask God for wisdom, and He will be faithful to guide your steps. The Father desires that our response to conflict be a powerful clear demonstration of His power and grace to a hurting world.