And to top it off, none of this should surprise us because Genesis 3 says God decreed that family conflict would result and be the norm as a result of the Fall of Adam and Eve, and in particular the marriage relationship would be subject to conflict. In addition, the Bible says in Romans 7:14-25 that we all have sin living in us and as such we are all prone to doing things we know are wrong or sinful…like fighting with our family members. And sometimes it might be you who is the problem. You might not be the problem in every fight, but someone is.
“So, you are telling me that I fight with my family members because of illegitimate self-seeking desires, or lust?” Well, yes, that is what the Bible says.
In an argument with a family member this would pan out as the following: demanding you have it your way and not theirs. “Lust” here does not refer to sexual passion to more generally to a self-seeking desire-coveting what you don’t have and then insisting on gaining it by manipulation, anger or even force. He gives them the answer in the next verse he says they fight because they “lust” and are inherently self-centered. If you want to properly manage family conflict you must first ask the question, “Why do we have conflict?” Or, “Why do we fight?” The Bible actually asks this very question in James 4:1 which basically reads, “Why do you fight with each other?” The Apostle James is directing this question toward Christians. Consider some important principles of conflict resolution from God’s Word.Īs with any malady, you can’t propose a cure until you have specifically and properly diagnosed the problem. Thankfully, the Bible is clear on how we should deal with confrontation and conflict. Conflict in the family won’t be eradicated in this life, but it can be managed in a way that honors God. If you have siblings, you’re going to have conflict with your brothers and sisters. If you have children, you’re going to have conflict with them. If you’re married, you’re going to have conflict with your spouse. In this life, you are going to have conflict with people. It isn’t just carnal, immature, ignorant Christians who have problems in this area on the contrary, even mature believers can struggle in this area, or be challenged by it every once in a while. Even Jesus’ own grown siblings taunted Him publicly (John 7:2-9).Ĭonflict between family members is real, even in the lives of believers. Aaron and Miriam criticized Moses because of his wife (Num 12:1). Job called his wife “foolish” right to her face (Job 2:10). Jacob got perturbed at his son Joseph (Gen 37:10). That is clear in the Bible, in history, and in reality. All families have conflict to one degree or another. Hah! If you believe that then you are deceived and living in Wonderland. Mature, spirit-filled Christian families don’t have conflict.
0 kommentar(er)
