Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 REFERENCE Proverbs 16:18 Pride, amongst other things that it is, can be described as ‘the quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or of one’s importance, especially over others.’ It is having an over-inflated self-ego. Pride is one major reason why conflicts remain unresolved in relationships. It is rare to find people who are proud ever go out of their way to seek peace and reconciliation when conflicts arise in a relationship they are involved in, regardless of the type of relationship. Such people would rather walk...

So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; FOR WE ARE BRETHREN.  Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” Genesis 13:8&9   REFERENCE Genesis 13:1-12 Earlier, we established that conflicts are a normal occurrence in human relations because people are different and have different opinions, idiosyncrasies, and life’s experiences. We have also examined different approaches to managing and resolving conflicts, so let us proceed along the same line...

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.  Proverbs 15:18 (ESV) REFERENCE Proverbs 15:18 (ESV)   A constant ingredient of conflict in our relationships is anger: allowing our tempers flare up at the provocation or perceived provocation of others. It was in a spur of the moment and in anger, that King Ahasuerus took a decision that ended his marriage with Queen Vashti. Even today, anger causes so much conflict and ruins many relationships. Often, when anger is allowed to take control of situations, it results in bitterness, arguments and destruction of relationships. Therefore, an important practical...

“Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with…” Romans 14:1 (MSG) REFERENCE Romans 14:1-5 Unresolved conflicts, as seen from yesterday’s study, have dire consequences. They arise for various reasons, but basically because people differ in their opinions and as such, perceive things differently. Life largely is about perspectives. The way we view events determine the way we respond to them.  To get the best outcomes in our relationships, we must strive to understand and manage conflict (which...

“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. ~ Matthew 18:15   REFERENCE Matthew 18:15-17 Conflict is a part of life but if not properly managed, it can break marriages, destroy organizations, strain relationships, cause strife in families, promote rivalry amongst peers, create disunity in communities, in churches, etc. Conflict is the process by which parties with differing wishes or opinions (each believing that the other party will act or is acting against them) engage in behaviors ‘that seek’ to damage the other...

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:16&17 REFERENCE Galatians 5:16-25 Yesterday we established that the flesh and the Spirit are in constant battle in a believer, and whoever wins the battle determines the direction the believer’s life goes. Victory means triumphing or having a win over an opponent.  Since, the flesh is your opponent; it is likely that you may be struggling...

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:16&17 REFERENCE Galatians 5:16-25 There is an on-going battle between the Spirit and the flesh in every believer; both are contrary to each other. The Spirit opposes the flesh and its evil influences and the flesh resists the Spirit and His good influence. Whoever wins the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit will determine...