DAY 39: Resolve Conflicts!

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” - Matthew 18:15-17

This is one of the most often neglected scriptures in the church today. Christians everywhere are getting offended and NOT resolving their problems, leading to incredible anger and animosity between believers! Countless church splits can be traced back to a simple and tragic neglect of DOING this scripture.

WHEN we are offended or sinned against (It’s going to happen) we are commanded to GO to that person IN PRIVATE. So why do so few of us DO this?? Maybe we don’t want to appear immature or easily offended?? Maybe we are afraid of confrontation?? I’m not sure, but I know that the fallout of NOT resolving our conflicts causes much bigger problems than a quick confrontation... trust me!

Today, take 5 minutes and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where and how you have been offended or sinned against by others. If someone has hurt you and you have not resolved the offense, more than likely at the mention of their name, you will roll your eyes, sigh or get an overall feeling of disgust. And that is when the offense is mild! Some people are so hurt that the very mention of the person that offended them can cause them physical pain or nausea! So ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any situations or people that have hurt you and that have not yet been resolved. Commit the information to paper or a document.

Then, (and this is the hard part) you will need to contact this person/these people. If possible, try and meet them IN PERSON. If distance is a problem, consider writing a letter that says something like this:

“Hey, _______ I was praying the other day and realized that I am uncomfortable with *the situation* and how it was (or wasn’t) resolved. When you did *list action*, it hurt me and I haven’t been ok."

GO! DO THE WORD!!