![]() ![]() We are repeatedly instructed to love one another (John 13:34 Romans 12:10), to live in peace and harmony with one another (Romans 15:5 Hebrews 12:14), to settle our differences among ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:11), to be patient, kind, and tenderhearted toward one another (1 Corinthians 13:4), to consider others before ourselves (Philippians 2:3), to bear one another’s burdens (Ephesians 4:2), and to rejoice in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6). The New Testament has multiple commands to believers that are demonstrative of living at peace with one another. Clearly, a biblical method of conflict resolution is needed. ![]() We’re also told not to allow a “root of bitterness” to spring up among us, leading to trouble and defilement (Hebrews 12:15). Failure to obey this command results in division in the body of Christ and grief to the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us that we’re to “let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31). These emotions are involved in most church conflicts. The goal of conflict resolution is unity, and unity in the church poses a threat to the devil who will use every opportunity to take advantage of unresolved issues, especially those involving anger, bitterness, self-pity, and envy. Avoidance of conflict, with no effort to resolve it, postpones a proper response and exacerbates the problem because conflicts that are allowed to fester unaddressed will always increase and have negative effects on relationships within the body. Conflict resolution in the body of Christ is crucial for several reasons.
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