The Encourager
“Handling Conflict - Jeff Curtis”
Handling Conflict
By Jeff Curtis
In Acts 15 we read of how the first century church dealt with controversy. We read in this text of the elders and the church came together with the apostles (granted we don’t have apostles today), to discuss the issue. The problem of those going along behind Paul on his first missionary journey imposing upon the Gentile Christians circumcision. That they must be keeping one of the acts of faith in the Old Testament.
In Acts 15, we see how the church handled the issue and see the end result in the letter that was delivered by the hand of Paul.
Today, the way some “handle” conflict is to ignore it, maybe even denying that there is any conflict. Counselors call this “the withdrawal approach” and say that a person who uses this approach has little or no respect for himself or the one with whom they have a conflict. This approach seldom if ever, resolves an issue. When the false teachers came from Jerusalem (Acts 15:1), Paul and Barnabas didn’t just ignore the problem, hoping it would go away. Rather, they dealt with it (15:2). Controversy in a congregation must be dealt with sooner or later; and it’s much easier to deal with it sooner than later.
Some individuals take an extreme “withdrawal” approach to conflict, withdrawing themselves permanently from the congregations where problems exist. We find no indication that anyone in the Antioch congregation said, “If those church folks are to fuss and fight, I’m leaving!” Before we can help deal with controversy in a congregation, some of us need to first deal with our own attitudes toward controversy. Most of us don’t like trouble, but when it shows up in our congregation, we need to help resolve it, not run from it.
Believe it or not, but good can come from controversy (Romans 8:28); if we maintain positive attitudes and handle the matter in the right way. Controversy can bring into the open problems that should have been dealt with long ago. Controversy may also force us to restudy the issues, and bring us closer to an understanding of the will of God. Controversy may force us to work on relationships that we have neglected. Acts 15:30-35, tell of the positive results from the proper handling of the controversy: (1) There was rejoicing (v.30); (2) God’s Word continued to be preached (v.32); (3) Relationships between the Jews and the Gentiles were strengthened (v.33).
Meditate on this:
Psalm 16:7-8
7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
