Conflict Resolution: Our Differences

Conflict comes from so many different places:

• Task conflict
• Value conflict
• Relational conflict
• Work style conflict
• Personality clashes

Genesis 4:2-5 “Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.”

Genesis 3:11-13 “And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? The man said, “The woman you gave me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it. Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

IMPORTANT – GOD CREATED US TO BE UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT

Three types of differences we shall look at this morning (There are more than this)

Generational differences

Personality differences.

Gender differences

James 1:19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Matthew 7:3-4 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?”

We are called to:

Love one another

• John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Bear with one another

• Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you”

Be Devoted to one another

• Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Get along with one another

• Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”

Encourage one another

• Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Humble and Gentle

• Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”