DISAGREEMENTS AMONG BELIEVERS

Conflict and disagreements between us happen. Sometimes we’re unable to see eye to eye with another person on particular issues, sometimes our conflicts simply come from misunderstanding and poor communication, whatever the case may be. From time to time we will run into problems with other people. We must expect to encounter conflicts. We see here some conflict in Acts:

ACTS15: 36-41
 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas “Let us now go back and visit
Our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord and
See how they are doing” now Barnabas was determined to take with him
John called Mark but Paul insisted that they should not take with them the
One who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them
To do the work then the contention became so sharp that they parted from
One another and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul                                       
Chose Silas and departed being commended by the brethren to the grace of
God he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthen the churches.

So who do you think is right? They’re both right, both of the opinions of Paul and Barnabas is valid and truthful. In verse 39-41 we read about the solution Paul and Barnabas came up with for the problem Paul and Barnabas divide up the territories they had visited. Barnabas takes Mark to Cypreus to see how the disciples are doing there. Paul takes Silas and they go through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches. We see the reason for the dispute we looked at in this lesson.

People have different back grounds and opinions from time to time we will have disagreements because we don’t see eye to eye and were different types of people.

So what are we to do about this?
Tell others?

Now Paul and Barnabas did not drag on the dispute and go to everyone to tell them what had happened. Sometimes it is tempting because we want to justify are point because we feel we been done wrong. But we need to let God take care of that.

Prov 20:19
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

I know a lot of people   including my self who can talk too much some times so we need to be careful of what we say. God gives certain people that gift but we need to make sure were using it accordingly to prosper God kingdom not to tear it down.

Prov 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

The second question is.  Do we complain?
Many times we will just complain about the situation .If we can’t have things are way like it will make us feel better or something but it just drags you down further a exhaust you more. I’m very guilty of that I can be very inpatient and I just want it now like that baby were still waiting for.

So what does God say about complaining?
Eph 4: 29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Or do we give the cold shoulder or lash out?
We either wait until we get so upset we explode and say all kinds of things we don’t mean, but we can’t take back once there said. Or we go the other way “well ever time I say something it’s wrong so I’m just not going to not say anything at all and they’ll get the hint”. That I’ am upset.

Do we really think that intentionally ignoring someone in an attempt to either hurt another’s feelings or to make a point ”is acceptable? Neither is lashing out at someone just to unload on them. These reactions are not acceptable and are not found in the scriptures as righteous.
So what are we to do?

Try and work it out maybe were wrong and we need to apologize.
If so we need to ask the Lord for forgiveness, and confess are sin to him.
Then go to that person and apologize and ask for forgiveness and if they accept great and if they don’t you did your part now it up to them.

Over look it. We must realize we won’t see eye to eye on all matters.
Many times the reason a conflict starts are because we don’t understand were the person may be coming from.

Move forward
Were not always gone to be able to change people’s minds and that o.k. We need to make a choice to move forward.

Unite under a common cause?                                                                                                                                  
We’ll not all believe things alike. Therese many things will disagree on. Paul and Barnabas disagreed about what to do with Mark but they united under the common cause of Christ and the desire to help the Disciples in the cities. Paul and Barnabas had to work for the Lord and there disagreement would not stop them from their work.

 2Cor 10:5
We demolish arguments and ever pretensions that set its self
Up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every
Thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Now we know how to solve conflict in the right manner it tells us how 2Cor
And we also know the wrong ways of handling things witch is cold shoulder, lashing out, gossip, complaining, I pray that if you think you may have a problem in this area. Or you know you do confess to God and he will help you. And if your not sure you have a problem with it. Pray for God to reveal it to you I promise he will show you what ever you need to know.
By Lori Ulman, some resources by Brent Kercheville