March 15 2015 Managing Conflicts Under Pressure

MANAGING CONFLICTS UNDER PRESSURE

1 Peter 3:8-11

Verse 8 – Live in harmony with one another.

SIX SECRETS TO REDUCING CONFLICTS

1. Be sympathetic.

Verse 8 – Be sympathetic.

• Makes you feel understood
• Validates your feelings

How To Be Sympathetic

• Use your ears more than your mouth.

James 1:19 – Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Romans 15:2- We must bear the burden of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.

2. Being loyal.

Verse 8 – Have brotherly love.

Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

1 Corinthians 13:7 – If you love someone you’ll be loyal to him no matter what the cost.

Romans 15:7 – Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you.

3. Through generosity or compassion.

Colossians 3:12 – Cloth yourself with compassion.

Ephesians 4:29 – (Speak) what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.  That it may benefit those who listen.

1 John 3:18 – We should love people not only with words and talk, but our actions and true caring.

4. Being humble.

1 Corinthians 13 – says that love is not proud.

Proverbs 13:10 – Pride only leads to arguments.

Proverbs 28:13 – Anyone who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful, but if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.

5. We must have mercy.

1 Peter 3:9 – Never pay back one wrong with another, or pay an angry work with another one.  Instead, pay back with a blessing so that you inherit a blessing yourself.

Colossians 3:13 – Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

1 Corinthians 13:5 – Love keeps no records of wrongs.

6. Show maturity.

1 Peter 5:10 – If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue and guard your lips from telling lies, live in peace.

Proverbs 12:18 – Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken can heal.

April 21 2013 How To Manage Conflict With Others

HOW TO MANAGE CONFLICT WITH OTHERS
Philippians 2:1-8

Verse 2 - Make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and purpose.

Five Ways To Manage Conflict

I. Defuse competition

Vs. 3 - Do nothing out of selfish ambition.

James 4:1-2 - What causes fights and quarrels? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but you don’t get it.

First Cause Of Conflict: Competing desires

II. Delete conceit

Vs. 3b - Do nothing out of vain conceit

Proverbs 13:10 - Pride only breeds quarrels.

Second Cause Of Conflict: Pride

III. Decrease criticism

Vs. 3c - In humility consider others better than yourselves.

Def. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but rather not thinking of yourself at all.

James 4:11-12 - Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him, speaks against the law and judges it. There is only one lawgiver and judge. Who are you to judge your neighbor?

Third Cause of Conflict: Criticism

IV. Demonstrate consideration

Vs. 4 - Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Peter 3:7 - Husbands in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Forth Cause Of Conflict: Only paying attention to myself

V. Develop more Christ-likeness

Vs. 5 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.

Vs. 6 - Jesus did not demand His rights.

Vs. 7 - Jesus was a servant.

Vs. 8 - Jesus sacrificed for the benefit of others.

Fifth Cause Of Conflict: Living without Christ

Ephesians 4:3 - Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives, by the peace that binds you together.

November 11 2012 The Choice Of Peace

THE CHOICE OF PEACE

Matthew 5:9 - Happy are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.

Misconception:
1. Peace making is not avoiding.
2. Peace making is not appeasement.
3. It’s actively seeking to resolve the conflict.

I. Why should I be a peacemaker?

1. Unresolved conflicts block my fellowship with God.
1 John 4:20 - If anyone says I love God yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

2. It can prevent answered prayers.
1 Peter 3:7 - Husbands in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Matthew 5:23 - Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and then 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.

3. It hinders my happiness.
Job 18:4 - You are only hurting yourself with your anger.

II. How can we be a peacemaker?

1. You need to plan a peace conference.
Matthew 5:23-24 - If you remember your brother has something against you, go at once to make peace.

2. You need to empathize with their feelings.
Philippians 2:4 - None of you should think only of his own affairs, but consider other people’s interests also.

3. You attack the problem, not the person.
Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed.

4. Cooperate as much as possible.
Romans 12:18 - Do everything possible on your part to live at peace with all men.
Romans 16:17 - I urge your, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way, keep away from them.
James 3:17 - Peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

5. You emphasize reconciliation, not resolution.
2 Corinthians. 5:18 - God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gives us the ministry of reconciliation.

Where To Start:
Colossians 3:15 - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.