10 Verses When You're Dealing With Conflict

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. - Proverbs 15:1

I absolutely hate conflict and confrontation. I used to run from it at all costs growing up. Anytime an argument would start or a heated conversation would emerge, I would do everything in my power to retreat or remove myself from the situation. I just wanted peace. I wanted everyone to be happy - with me, with each other, with the current circumstances - and I didn’t handle it well when people seemed less than happy and at peace.

But I’ve learned over the years that avoiding conflict isn’t always the best strategy. Sure, there are some hills that aren’t worth dying on, as my dad likes to remind me. However, there are times when confrontation is necessary to resolve an issue or find a solution to a problem.

Thankfully, Scripture has a lot of great wisdom and counsel when it comes to handling confrontation the right way. Have I always followed this counsel perfectly? Heck no. I’ve fallen short more times than I can count, as I’m sure we all have. But I hope that by reminding ourselves of the truth of God’s Word and meditating on His wisdom in regards to how we should handle confrontation, we’ll prepare our hearts in a godly way for the next time we find ourself in a conflict or confrontational situation.

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If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. - Matthew 18:15-16

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. - James 1:19

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. - Proverbs 15:1

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:17-21

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. - Matthew 5:9

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:4

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. - Colossians 3:13

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him - Luke 17:3

When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. - Proverbs 16:7

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger - Ephesians 4:26