For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. James 3:13-17 - Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. Hebrews 4:16 - Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul. Proverbs 18:6-7 - A fool’s lips bring strife, and his mouth calls for blows. What you shouldn’t speak – unwholesome words The Focus of Conflict Resolution – Identifying Grace-Based Solutions A. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? II. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You are envious and cannot obtain so you fight and quarrel. James 4:1-4 - What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have so you commit murder. Remember that conflict reveals important data about the nature of both your heart and your relationship with Christ Identify areas of your life that need to change C. Hebrews 12:15 - See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled… A. Hebrews 12:15 - …root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled… Galatians 6:7 - Do not be deceived, God is not mocked for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. The Lens of Conflict Resolution - a Sincere Desire to Change Yourself Philippians 2:15-16 - …prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life… For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. The church is a place that welcomes and loves men and women who may have all sorts of familial brokenness in the past. But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.ģ. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. We acknowledge that God gives the gift of singleness and we rejoice that we have such men and women in our church family.ġ Corinthians 7:7-8 - Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges.Ģ. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such a one. It is not the church’s task to sit in judgment of the world.ġ Corinthians 5:9-13 - I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.