April 9, 2017

Healthy Conflict

Conflict in the Church

Conflict:
- an incompatibility between two or more opinions, principles, or interests
- a serious disagreement or argument

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

It’s not a cute little process, it’s intense, it’s stressful and if you’re the sword or dagger, it hurts.  Just like with the sharpening on the dagger, it’s painstakingly dragging across your edge shaving little parts of your flesh off to make you sharp and to make you a powerful weapon in the hands of God.

So, when it is done correctly, conflict can not only be healthy it can be beneficial and life-changing.

Dealing With Sin in the Church

Matthew 18:15-17
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Step 1
When someone else in the church sins against you, talk to them one on one and resolve it.

Step 2
If that doesn’t work, take 1-2 people from the church with you to rebuke them.

Step 3
If that doesn’t work, take the issue before the "church".

Step 4
If that doesn’t cause them to change what they’re doing treat them like someone who isn't a part of the church.

Leviticus 19:17-18
17 “‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.
18 “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Galations 6:1 1
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Being Responsible for Conflict

Matthew 18:18-20
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Communication Card
- I will choose to handle rebuke in a healthy way like in Matthew 18:15-20 instead of doing it my own way.
- If I need to rebuke someone, I will choose to do it out of love.
- I will choose not to feel attacked when someone rebukes me.