January 21st, 2018
Devotional
“Life Together: The Day with Others” - Matthew 18: 15-20
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Monday: “Fight Well” -Matthew 18: 15-20
For some reason, Christians do not seem to fight well. Or perhaps most humans, despite their religious affiliation, don’t know how to fight well. But, as Christians, we should know how to deal with our disagreements with brothers and sisters in the faith, because Christ gave us clear instructions. And yet…
I have two friends. Both are Godly men. The first has been taught from the time he was little that the best way to deal with conflict is to ignore it. As a result, every time we had some sort of disagreement or he was upset at me for something, he would ignore me. Sometimes for weeks on end. And at one point in college, for an entire year. It was perhaps one of the most painful times in my life. Having someone so dear to me, ignore me, and refuse to tell me what I had done or said to prompt such a reaction. Ignoring conflict, actually only generated more suffering for both of us.
My other friend and I found that we both had the opposite approach to conflict. We wanted to lay it all out on the table and then sift through the verbal wreckage. This was equally as unhealthy as ignoring each other. But through time, we learned how to fight well. We would pull each other aside, if something was said or done that would hurt us. We would ask to speak privately later. At that point in time we would explain in an even tone, what happened and how it had affected us. The other person just listened. Sometimes they would respond, explaining their side of the event, but we always left covenanting to try harder next time.
How do you approach conflict naturally?
How do you think Christ calls us to approach conflict in the body of Christ?
Prayer: God, we acknowledge that even though we want to follow you, sometimes we way we behave when we disagree does not proclaim your Lordship or light in this world. Instead, we let the darkness overcome us. Teach us this week how to handle conflict with our brothers and sisters in the faith, and let the way we approach disagreements transform us and transform the world. Amen.
Tuesday: “Conflict” - Matthew 18: 15-20
Jesus’ advice to the disciples about how to deal with conflict say a lot without the need for words. For some deep truths lie in the assumptions behind what is being said. First, we have not learned how to fight well as a people. We have been raised in ways that impact how we interact with other people, especially when we become upset about something. For most of us, dealing with conflict has become our personal baggage. We have been abused, verbally, psychologically, or physically (sometimes without even really being able to identify it as such) and sometimes in our attempts to not replicate those patterns we do more harm then good. In order to avoid fighting with a person, out of fear of what may come of it, we ignore conflict completely and label it to be something bad.
How do you discern what conflict can be ignore and what conflict needs to be addressed?
Prayer: Lord, we confess that sometimes the way we handle conflict is to ignore it - when that is not what you call us to. And other times, we jump right in, letting our words become like daggers, which is not what you call us to either. Give us a spirit of discernment in how to address conflict in a way that honors you at all times and in all situations. Amen.
Wednesday: “What is Precious” - Matthew 18: 15-20
The second assumption about how Jesus deals with conflict is that conflict in and of itself is not a sin, but it can lead us to sin. And even those times when someone sins against you in such a way that leads to arguments or fighting, God can redeem both the sin and its results. Conflict is a time when we can truly learn from each other. It is also one of the most revealing ways to learn about someone’s beliefs and character. For example, the reason my second friend (see Monday’s devotional) and I decided to learn to fight better was because of a realization we stumbled upon – we fight over what is precious to us. Often we assume that the other person we are engaged in conflict with knows deep truths about us that they often do not or that they understand the true meaning behind what matters to us and handle it with the same care that we do.
When we realized that we fight over what is precious to each of us, we began to treat it as such. We also saw it as a holy moment – a time when someone who truly cares about our walk with God, can come along side us and speak truth into the dark places in our lives. When we stumbled into sin against another human being we were in relationship with, we needed that to be pointed out to us with love and grace.
Think about times of conflict in your life. What did that situation reveal about you? What did it reveal about the other involved?
Prayer: Lord, today we ask that you break open any hardness in our heart that would lead us to sin because of conflict. Open up the eyes of our hearts so we can see the situation as others may see it. Help us to walk in others shoes. Give us a spirit of vulnerability and a spirit of openness to seek a resolution that lifts up your Kingdom and name. Amen.
Thursday: “The Church of Jesus Christ” - Matthew 18: 15-20
We are the church of Jesus Christ here on earth, today. Our relationships with each other should reflect this very truth. I think Jesus realized that as imperfect people there are going to be times when we screw up – when we don’t treat each other, as we should. When we gossip or lie about one another. When we share secretes that we shouldn’t. When we become angry about something that is said to us, by a person who may not understand the full impact their words have on our lives. But Jesus’ knows that we are called to be better then this – that he has given us the opportunity and the instructions on how to resolve conflict in such a way that brings honor and glory to the kingdom of God!
To Christ, each and every one of us matters. Each person who has ever walked this earth and who will come after us have value that is boundless. We need to be in the types of relationship with each other that show this to the world. We need to have relationships with our colleagues and the people that we meet on the street that reflects this. To Christ, none of us has the right to claim superiority over another.
How would you treat others differently if you saw them as someone who is precious to Jesus?
What does it mean to be the Church of Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Lord, help us to see the importance of being in relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Allow us to also see how our conflict with one another can bring harm to you. Let us live into what it means to seek you first and foremost in our lives and not to allow our conflict to become a distraction to following your call on our lives. Amen.
Friday: “Dos and Do Nots” - Matthew 18: 15-20
So what does such a relationship that shines Christ’s love look like – when we have a problem with someone else in the church? If someone has done something to hurt you, you are to humbly pull them aside after praying about the situation. You are to talk to this person alone, and explain what the fault was as you understood or experienced it. If the person responds asking for forgiveness, you reconcile and move on. But if the person you sought to reconcile with refuses to listen, you bring another person into the conversation. A wise, neutral member of the body of Christ, so they can confirm what is being said and listen and respond with fresh insight. If your brother or sister still refuses to listen, then you bring the matter before the entire gathering.
Let us pause and take a moment to examine what Jesus is not telling us to do: Jesus is not telling us to approach the one who has sinned against us in such a way that alienates them. We are not to approach them yelling or cursing. We are not to discuss the matter with others before we approach them. We are not to enter into this time of reconciliation and healing in order to prove that we are right. We are simply entering into a space to be heard in such a way that may prompt future understanding.
We are the body of Christ on this earth to bring glory to the Kingdom of God by the grace of the Holy Spirit! Sometimes we let the pettiness of conflict consume us in such a way that fighting becomes what we identify church with, instead of this Triune reality. May we strive to be in better relationship with each other and with the world. May we take Jesus’ words to heart and make them our credo to live by in times of conflict. And in all circumstances, may we look to Christ, the one who has brought us together, to lead us to become the people we are intended to be – the people he sees us as, people of worth beyond measure.
Have you ever tried approaching someone you are in conflict with as Christ instructs? Why or why not?
Prayer: Lord, next time we are in conflict, may we turn to your way and your word for guidance. Instead of reacting with our words and actions, may we first pray to you for wisdom and seek to see our brothers and sisters as those who are worthy of being treated with respect, even when we disagree. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Life Together: The Day Alone” - Matthew 6:6
Family Activity: Talk about bullies. When someone bullies you and others in school what do you do? Does it work? Is this similar or different to what you do when you fight with a friend? Why?
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