Resolving conflicts among people of God is important for a few reasons. Having conflict, with no push to solve it, puts off a legitimate reaction and compounds the issue since conflicts that are permitted to rot unaddressed will dependably increase and affect the connection between the both parties involved.
The objective of conflict resolution is solidarity, and solidarity in the congregation represents a danger to satan who will utilize each chance to exploit uncertain issues, particularly those including outrage, sharpness, self indulgence and envy. These feelings are associated with most church conflicts. The bible discloses to us that we're to ;
"let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from us, along with all malice”
Ephesians 4:31
Inability to comply with this order brings about division in the congregation of Christ. Also we are told not to allow a “root of bitterness” to spring up among us.
Hebrews 12:15
"See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many"
Let's check scriptures that talks about conflict resolution.
The New Testament has numerous bible verses that charges us to live in love,peace and harmony!
- We are taught to love each other
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another"
John 13:34
- to live in peace and amicability with each other
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had"
Romans 15:5
- to settle our disparities and leave in peace
"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
to be patient, kind and gracious toward each other"
2 Corinthians 13:14
4 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
5 "It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs"
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Conflict is the direct opposite of Christian conduct as sketched out in Scripture.
There are times when, in spite of all endeavors to accommodate, different issues keep us from settling conflict in the congregation,an important part of conflict resolution is forgiveness sometimes forgiving people without an apology from them shows how strong and determined you are to resolve the situation.
Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.
Proverbs 15:18
Now and again conflicts has been caused by personality clashes,to achieve a specific goal together,you must put others above yourself in avoidance of conflict, in any way when there is a decision to part ways because of misunderstandings,all parties involved ought to sit and talk so as not to leave in outrage,its never the best.
Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:13-14
The reason conflict resolution is so hard is that we're reluctant to put ourselves in awkward circumstances. We're also unwilling to humble ourselves to resolve amicably.