We are going to have conflict whether we like it or not—it’s part of life. The key to dealing with conflict is to follow God’s word and respond obediently. Dealing with conflict isn’t easy; however, it can’t be ignored as difficult behavior will continue.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. | Proverbs 15:1
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. | 2 Timothy 3:16
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. | Proverbs 15:4
A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. | Proverbs 18:19
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Galatians 5:22-23
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. | Matthew 5:44
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. | Matthew 5:9
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. | Colossians 3:13
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. | Ephesians 4:26
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. | James 1:2-4
Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. | 1 Timothy 5:19
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. | John 7:24
Do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? | Proverbs 25:8
Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? | Amos 3:3
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. | James 3:2
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. | Ephesians 6:12
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. | Proverbs 19:11
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. | Luke 6:30
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. | Philippians 2:5
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. | Proverbs 25:21-22
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. | Matthew 18:17
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. | James 1:19
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. | Philippians 2:4
Leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. | Matthew 5:24
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. | Ephesians 4:31
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. | John 14:27
Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. | Luke 17:3
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. | Ephesians 4:15
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. | Hebrews 12:15
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” | Matthew 18:21
To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. | Luke 6:29
Just because there is conflict—doesn’t mean relationships have to end. Conflicts remind us of our need for God’s hand in every part of our lives.