Resolving Conflict

Mathew 18:15-17, ‘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. But if he will not listen, take one or two brothers along, so that ‘so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them tell the church, if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.’ When we are wronged by another, the tendency we have is to go and expose them to others so that they may be shamed and vilified while we may gain pity from others. This results in grudges between us that create a never ending cycle of revenge. If we are wronged, Jesus told us that we ought to confront the offender in private, bringing the offense to his attention. In so doing, a true believer when confronted in such a manner will realize his mistakes and repent for his sins and transgressions against you. You will end up in finding favor in his eyes by the manner in which you have approached the whole thing. A pretender on the other hand will argue trying to justify his position. He will not accept his error and even if you bring it before the whole assembly of the church, he will continue to lie. Such people are trouble makers and will only bring strife and arguments in your life. From such people you should distance yourself, not in hate and anger, but in wisdom knowing that all they will add to your life is trouble.