AVOIDING CONFLICT!

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God”.(Matthew 5:23-24). 
*”Christians are to be reconciled, whatever it takes…
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
*Wise speech needs to be careful, humble, gentle, timely and truthful (get rid of half truths)
* A pure heart overflows into pure truthful speech.
Avoiding Conflict!!!
We are called to speak the truth in love.
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Eph 4:15-16).

 *Failure to confront in love allows the enemy to sow greater seeds of conflict.

*That lack of forgiveness  plants the seeds that later led to disaster.

*It’s a lesson for all of us as we can easily fall into temptation to the same pride that ignores our own sinfulness and pushes us to pass judgment on those who sin against us.  As James so eloquently reminds us, we have no business passing judgment on others when we ourselves can barely get through a day without sinning.
Is there someone in your life that you need to confront in love?

*Most people: Remember the things that ought to be forgotten and forget the things that ought to be remembered.
*Jesus died to set you free. Accept it.
*Let us pray for a pure heart, let us be Spirit directed toward Holiness as He is Holy.
Jesus You are the Way, The Truth and the Life, help me to Love as You Love have loved me for Your Glory. Amen

Biblical Ways to Love in Truth:
*Listen without interrupting.    Proverbs 18
*Speak without accusing.         James 1:19
*Give without sparing.             Proverbs 21:26
*Pray without ceasing.             Colossians 1:9
*Answer without arguing.        Proverbs 17:1
*Share without pretending.      Eph.  4:15
*Enjoy without complaint.       Philip.  2:14
*Trust without wavering.         Corin.  13:7
*Forgive without punishing.    Col.  3:13
*Promise without forgetting.   Prov. 13:13