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How to Handle Conflict With Another Person

Matthew 5: 23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Why is it urgent to be reconciled with your brother?

Why is it your responsibility to go if someone has something against you?

Is there anyone you need to be reconciled with? What should you do about it?

Matthew 5: 25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Why is it wise to settle matters quickly?

What would stand in the way of settling matters quickly?

Matthew 18: 15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he 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 he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

If your brother sins against you, what is your responsibility?

If you go to your brother, what is your goal?

Matthew 5 teaches you to go if your brother has something against you. Matthew 18 teaches you to go if your brother sins against you. How can it be your responsibility to go if you were the one who did wrong and if you were the one someone did wrong to?

1 Corinthians 6: 1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers! 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.

What two alternatives are better than going to court against a brother?

Colossians 3: 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

How do clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience?

What does it mean to bear with someone?

What example of forgiveness does this passage give us?

Discussion Questions:

Why does God care about our relationships with others? Why does He place a high priority on forgiveness and reconciliation?

Why do some people seem to find it easier to resolve differences than others?

When a person gives their life to Jesus, what changes should take place that will make it easier for them to deal with conflict?

Posted by Cute at 5:17 AM