Can’t We All Just Get Along Reducing & Resolving Conflict Phil 4:2-3

1.Anticipate Attack 2.Adopt Christ’s Humble Attitude 1 Corinthians 6:5-8 Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.

1.Anticipate Attack 2.Adopt Christ’s Humble Attitude Proverbs 19:11 A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

1.Anticipate Attack 2.Adopt Christ’s Humble Attitude 3.Unite to Share the Gospel 4.Fix your Hope on Heaven James 4:1-2 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.

1.Initiate Regardless of Blame – Choose to forgive Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

1.Initiate Regardless of Blame – Choose to forgive – Choose to forget Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.”

1.Initiate Regardless of Blame – Choose to forgive – Choose to forget – Ask for forgiveness BUT: – Deep hurts take time and counsel – Forgive & forget does not equal trust

1.Initiate Regardless of Blame 2.When Necessary, Seek Help a)A believer of proven maturity b)Neutral – won’t take sides Proverbs 18:17 The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.

1.Initiate Regardless of Blame 2.When Necessary, Seek Help a)A believer of proven maturity b)Neutral – won’t take sides c)Will maintain confidentiality Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

1.Initiate Regardless of Blame 2.When Necessary, Seek Help 3.Don’t Spread the Conflict – Don’t talk about a conflict you’re in – Don’t talk about the conflicts of others Proverbs 20:19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

REDUCE – How to Avoid Conflict 1.Anticipate Attack 2.Adopt Christ’s Humble Attitude 3.Unite to Share the Gospel 4.Fix your Hope on Heaven RESOLVE – How to Heal Conflict 1.Initiate Regardless of Blame 2.When Necessary, Seek Help 3.Don’t Spread the Conflict