Christian conflict
Conflicts amongst Christians can arise because of different personalities, ways, communication styles, views and spiritual maturity. God is the Creator of diversity and we are to celebrate it. Diversity, however, is also a potential source of conflict. The Bible tells us to maintain unity in the same spirit, the Spirit of God, at all times.
(See Chinese versions: 简体中文 > 信徒冲突 | 繁體中文 > 信徒衝突)
Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV … urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
- teaching something that is misleading and contrary to God’s Word;
- being disruptive;
- refusing to accept Christ-centred correction; and
- blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
A prayer over conflicts with fellow believers
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for (name) and all the plans You have for him/her.
Help me to see (name) through Your eyes and discern whether my views are displeasing You. Holy Spirit, I invite You to please convict my heart of how I need to relate to (name).
I repent of any judgment, anger, resentment or self-righteousness towards (name) and am sorry for allowing the enemy to create any disunity within the Body of Christ. Jesus, You are our head and I invite You to be foremost in this relationship. I am willing to humble myself and reach out in gentleness to restore whatever is broken.
Colossians 1:18 ESV And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Where there are divisive issues, please prompt me when the timing is right to address them with patience and gentleness. Please prepare both our hearts and lead us in our conversations so that You are glorified, and neither of us seeks to be lord over each other. I pray we will come together in unity to praise You for Your love for each other. Please turn this conflict into a testimony of Your love, for Your glory.
2 Timothy 4:2 ESV … be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Galatians 6:1 ESV Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
If (name) refuses to follow You and allows Satan to rule in his/her life, then please give me the wisdom to counsel and correct – or know when to draw boundaries around this relationship.
Please guard my mouth, so that I will be slow to speak and anger, and quick to hear. Inspire my words so that I speak words of life and speak the truth in love. Help me focus on what is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
James 1:19 ESV Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
Philippians 4:8 ESV Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Help me to be more like Jesus Christ in every way, not only when it is easy to love but also when it is challenging. Please lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139:23-24 ESV Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
In Jesus’ name, amen!“