Mark 3:25 (NIV) If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

James 4:1-2 (NIV) What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

Conflicts in the home Monetary Concerns Expressions of sexuality Childrens Discipline Communication In-laws I. Reason for Conflict (James 4:1-2) gender heritage sexuality everybody is unique II. The Reactions to Conflict My way No way Your way Half way Our Way - the way of choice. Compromise III. Resolution to Conflict

Commit life to Christ
•  Ephesians 2:16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Pray deligently about Conflict
•  James 4:2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

Honestly analyze the problem
•  Matthew 7:3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Schedule a peace conference
•  Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Practical Suggestions
•  Right Time
•  Proper Place
•  Pray prior to conference

Establish ground rules before conference
•  Proverbs 11:29 He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

Rules
•  Never Compare
•  Never Condem
•  Never Command
•  Never Challenge
•  Never Condensend
•  Never Contradict
•  Never Confuse


Change your Focus
•  Philipians 2:4,5 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

Don't be afraid to seek appropriate outside help
•  Proverbs 15:12 A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.

Refuse to give up
•  Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The three stages of conflict
1 Recognition
2 Reaction time
3 Resolution

{Sermon by Dr.Jim Chatham on May 14, 2000 at First Baptist Church Dickson}

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