Conflict turns bad when it goes outside of the parameters of God’s love. Perhaps we can use the traits listed in 1 Corinthians 13 as our litmus test for church conflict as “love never fails” (v. 8). You’ll find that some of the traits are worded positively and others negatively. We need the presence of certain traits and the absence of others for our disagreements to stay healthy and aligned with our purpose to love God and others.
Litmus Test for Church Conflict Includes Positive Traits & Must Not Reveal Certain Negative Traits
To fulfill our purpose to love God and others, we must demonstrate these positive traits in conflict:
To fulfill our purpose to love God and others, we must guard against these negative traits in conflict:
Conflict will happen but it is no time to lay aside our purpose of loving God and others. If anything, it is a time to all the more adhere to and work toward it.
In addition to the content on this page, the Steering the Church Toward God’s Purposes Leadership Guide includes a challenging question for each of the above traits to help you take the litmus test on your life.
All Posts about Conflict Management:
- Reason Conflict Management is an Important Skill for Leaders
- Not All Conflict is Bad
- A Litmus Test for Church Conflict
- Body Life Can Prevent Conflict
- Body Life Can Resolve Conflict
- Body Life Takes Responsibility in Conflict
- Conflict Hinders Fulfillment of the Great Commission
- The Right Mindset in Conflict
- The Right Reactions in Conflict
- Power of God Needed to Rise Above in Conflict
- To Rise Above Conflict, Go Back to the Gospel
- To Rise Above Conflict, Pray with the Right Motives
- To Rise Above Conflict, Rely on God’s Grace
- To Rise Above Conflict, Pull on People’s Spiritual Gifts
- To Rise Above Conflict, Follow God’s Word
- To Rise Above Conflict, Remember Who’s the Real Enemy