{"id":3585,"date":"2016-08-15T08:00:03","date_gmt":"2016-08-15T12:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/?p=3585"},"modified":"2024-12-09T13:08:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T18:08:20","slug":"conflict-litmus-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/conflict-litmus-test.htm","title":{"rendered":"A Litmus Test for Church Conflict"},"content":{"rendered":"

Conflict turns bad<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Litmus Test for Church Conflict Includes Positive Traits &\u00a0Must Not Reveal Certain Negative Traits<\/h2>\n
\"Love<\/a>
(Click to enlarge in Pinterest & repin.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To fulfill our purpose to love God and others<\/a>, we must demonstrate these positive traits in conflict:<\/p>\n

Patient<\/div>\n
Kind<\/div>\n
Always Protects<\/div>\n
Always Trusts<\/div>\n
Always Hopes<\/div>\n
Always Perseveres<\/div>\n

To fulfill our purpose to love God and others, we must guard against these negative traits in conflict:<\/p>\n

Envy<\/div>\n
Boastful<\/div>\n
Proud<\/div>\n
Dishonoring<\/div>\n
Self-Seeking<\/div>\n
Easily Angered<\/div>\n
Keeping Record of Wrongs<\/div>\n
Delight in Evil Rather than Truth<\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

In addition to the content on this page, the Steering the Church Toward God’s Purposes Leadership Guide<\/strong><\/a> includes a challenging question for each of the above traits to help you take the litmus test on your life.<\/p>\n

For More on These Topics:<\/p>\n