Not unlike the culture of the iconic Wild West, America is currently enthralled with fighting. From political elections to reality TV to road rage, we love our conflict. It is not uncommon to witness a verbal altercation on the subway or in the boardroom. Metaphorical “shootouts at the OK Corral” happen every day in the classrooms, courtrooms and bedrooms of the U.S.
This is a culture of violence. It is a culture of disrespect. It is a culture of conflict.
Even something as simple as sports teams rivalries are steeped in conflict. Good-natured trash-talk goes, in my opinion, way too far to the point of dividing friends and family.
Let’s not confuse debate, confrontation and conflict.
We need to be able to discuss matters of difference and do so in a civil manner. When we are wrong, those who care about us must possess the responsibility to lovingly confront us. Conflict, however, is a collision, a war, a clash. The Latin conflictus means “a striking together, to contend, to fight; combat.” According to Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, a conflict is a turning point during which an individual struggles to attain some psychological quality. (https://www.verywell.com/what-is-conflict-2794976) One researcher defines conflict as “a disagreement through which the parties involved perceive a threat to their needs, interests or concerns.” (ohrd.wisc.edu) I would add that conflict often includes a response to those perceptions; and many times the response is ugly.
It is one thing to fight for one’s family or freedom. But many in today’s culture thrive on conflict. Some people just love a good argument. I literally had a women tell me last week that she was a Hatfield of Hatfield and McCoy fame; and she proceeded to explain that this was the reason for her position of quarreling in her church.
We have become so accustomed to conflict, it feels normal. But it should not be normative for Bible believing Christians. Church fights have been known to be bloody, vicious and eternally destructive.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Lucado says: when those who are called to fish don’t fish, they fight.
Why?
I am of the opinion that the foundational issue behind our propensity to conflict with one another is spiritual. There is a deep-seeded discomfort or irritation that, when fueled, becomes a source of contention. Many times, those who fight with others are also fighting with themselves as well as with God. The enemy of our souls wants to make us miserable. An effective way to accomplish this goal is to cause us to turn on one another.
It is a matter focus. When we don’t focus on what we are called by God to do (the mission), we focus on one another. When we focus on one another, we fight. I love the writings of Max Lucado when he said:
When those who are called to fish don’t fish, they fight.
When energy intended to be used outside is used inside, the result is explosive.
Instead of casting nets, we cast stones.
Instead of extending helping hands, we point accusing fingers.
Instead of being fishers of the lost, we become critics of the saved.
Rather than helping the hurting, we hurt the helpers.
http://pastorhow.com/tanseowhow/when-fishermen-dont-fish-by-max-lucado/
We can concentrate on minutia or we can concentrate on mission, but we can’t do both.
When we are not fulfilling what God called us to do.
We are frustrated. We know there is more to life.
We have a divine purpose and we are not fulfilling it.
They are focused, on the wrong things. Other people.
And when this happens, we are failing.
So, the question really isn’t, “why do we have so much conflict?” but “how can we get back on mission?”
We must get good at conflict resolution. However, we must get even better at conflict prevention. Let’s embrace the responsibility we have to do what God told us to do so we won’t fight with each other. More importantly, let’s do what God wants so we can honor Him.
Thoughts on Life and Leading 